Legacy Funeral Directors: Formal identification of deceased concluded
UPDATE: Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin speaking at an earlier press conference
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
The formal identification of the deceased recovered from Legacy Independent Funeral Directors has been completed, Humberside Police have revealed.
The force is investigating “concern for care of the deceased” at the company’s premises on Hessle Road and Anlaby Road in Hull, and Beckside, in Beverley.
A total of 35 bodies were moved from the company’s premises on Hessle Road to Hull mortuary. The force has confirmed all have now been formally identified, and the families have been notified.
A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by misrepresentation and fraud by abuse of position remain on police bail as investigations continue.
As the investigation enters its third month, Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said: “The investigation remains multifaceted and extremely complex, and I want to offer my utmost assurance we remain committed to thoroughly, and sensitively, investigating, and working with our partner agencies to ensure the families and those affected receive the help and support they need.
“We are in a position to confirm that following our work with His Majesty’s Coroner, the formal identification process of the deceased recovered from the Hessle Road site has now concluded, and each family has been contacted by their dedicated family liaison officer and updated.
“Meetings between every family and our senior investigating officer have also now taken place, where he has been able to provide a personal investigative update to them as, understandably, families are at the core of this investigation, and we want to provide them with the timely updates they desperately need and deserve.
“To ensure the families’ wishes and privacy have been respected, and to allow them time to try and process what has occurred, we made the decision to not publicly release any details of those recovered from the Hessle Road site.
“We maintain this position, as the devastation the families have suffered is incomprehensible, and we would ask that people please refrain from speculating, as the significant impact on them cannot be understated.
“Investigations into allegations of suspected financial and fraudulent activity are continuing, with dedicated, specialist investigation teams conducting various lines of enquiry and following up on numerous leads and information.
“A man and a woman previously arrested in March in connection to the investigation remain on police bail as further work and enquiries continue.
“We will continue to share any developments as part of the investigation, where we are able to, and would encourage anyone who believes they have been affected or requires assistance to please contact Victim Support’s 24/7 independent helpline on 0808 281 1136.”