Police launch investigation after 'human remains' are found on riverbank (original) (raw)

• Cops were called to the suburb of Sunderland today
• Police found human remains on the bank of the River Wear
• Northumbria are still investigating at the scene

Published: 13:11 EST, 24 July 2024 | Updated: 13:17 EST, 24 July 2024

Police in Sunderland have launched an investigation after finding human remains on the banks of the River Wear.

Northumbria Police officers were seen on Wear Street, in South Hylton, today with multiple police vehicles in attendance.

The Northumbria Police Marine Unit is also believed to be at the scene, which lies on the outskirts of Sunderland.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said:

'At around 10.05am today (Wednesday), we received a report of suspected human remains having been discovered on the riverbank near to Wear Street in South Hylton.

Police in Sunderland have launched an investigation after finding human remains on a riverbank

Northumbria Police officers were seen on Wear Street, in South Hylton, today

The Northumbria Police Marine Unit is also believed to be at the scene, which lies on the outskirts of Sunderland

'Emergency services are currently in attendance at the scene to carry out enquiries.'

MailOnline has contacted the force for further comment.

It comes just a few weeks after human remains were found in London and Bristol in a case that shocked the nation.

The two men whose remains were found in Bristol and London last week belong to a French national and his British ex-partner, police revealed.

Yostin Andres Mosquera, 34, was charged with the murder of two men, named by the Met Police as 62-year-old Albert Alfonso and 71-year-old Paul Longworth.

Detectives made the grisly discovery after two suitcases were allegedly dumped on Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol before further remains were found at the victims' flat in Scotts Road, west London.

The two men had previously been in a relationship and still lived together at the flat in Shepherd's Bush. They were known to the suspect, who had been staying with them for a short period of time, police said.

Mr Longworth was British and Mr Alfonso was originally from France but had obtained British citizenship.

Police said that they do not believe there was a 'homophobic motive' from the evidence gathered so far, but they have initially categorised the incident as a 'hate crime' under national guidelines.