Human remains discovered in back garden
Forensic tests are being carried out to identify the remains of two people found in a garden in Nottinghamshire.
The bodies were discovered by police in the back garden of a house in Forest Town, near Mansfield.
A Nottinghamshire police spokesman said it is believed the remains had been there for some time.
Officers were led to the address after information came to light about an “incident” alleged to have taken place in the late 1990s.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she knew of an elderly couple who used to live at the house in the 1990s.
I never saw anyone coming or going. My friend and I always used to say ‘I wonder what happened to that couple’. They just disappeared. We thought they had emigrated. Neighbour
The 51-year-old, who did not want to be named but lives with her partner and 16-year-old son, said: “I only saw the man a few times. I never saw the lady or any family.
“I’ve lived here for 18 years. They were living at the house when I moved in, but they never had any visitors.
‘They just disappeared’
“I never saw anyone coming or going. My friend and I always used to say ‘I wonder what happened to that couple’. They just disappeared. We thought they had emigrated.”
She said she thought the house had been empty until the present occupiers moved in around seven years ago.
A police spokeswoman at the scene said the current occupiers were not part of the investigation at this time. She said: “They have been really supportive and understanding of the investigation.”
The two bodies have been removed from the garden and it is likely to be “several weeks or months” before formal identification is completed, according to Inspector Mark Webster, from Nottinghamshire police.
Bodies discovered
He said: “As a result of information we received in force last week we commenced a search at premises on Blenheim Close in the Forest Town area of Mansfield and yesterday we uncovered the bodies of two people.
“Forensic tests are taking place at this moment to identify who they are formally.”
He would not comment further on the information the police received last week.
The officer also refused to rule out whether they were looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Asked whether they had made any arrests, the officer answered: “No, we haven’t at the moment.”
