Suspect, 52, charged with murder of man whose remains were found in a pond next to NHS hospital

A man has been charged with murder after human remains were found in a pond near an NHS Hospital in Harlow on New Year’s Eve. 

Lee Clark, 52, has been charged with the murder of Phillip Lewis, 59, after his remains were found in Oakwood Pond near Princess Alexandra Hospital. 

Mr Clark, of Wedhey, Harlow, will appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court tomorrow. 

A 23-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder has been released on bail until March while Essex Police continue their enquiries. 

Phillip Lewis, 59, had lived in Harlow for many years and was known locally as ‘Scottish Phil’

The victim, Mr Lewis, had lived in Harlow for many years and was affectionately known as ‘Scottish Phil’.  

Detective Superintendent Roby Kirby, Head of Essex Major Crime, said: ‘Over the last eight days, we have had a team of dedicated detectives and forensic experts who have pieced together what we believe to be the circumstances around Phillip’s death.

‘Of course, that work does not stop at the point of charge and in many ways, this is still the beginning of complex investigation into the death of a 59-year-old man who was a son and a friend.

‘One element of that work continues today as, alongside our partners, we continue to drain Oakwood Pond to allow for further investigation of the area to take place.

‘This is being done in the most environmentally friendly way possible and I’d like to pass on my thanks to partners for helping to facilitate this.

‘I would continue to appeal to anyone who came into contact with Phillip in any way since 1 November 2022 to come forward. To date, a number of people have come forward and the information they have provided to us has been invaluable.

Mr Lewis’s remains were found in Oakwood Pond near Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow on New Year’s Eve 

Essex Police are appealing for witnesses in the local area or information from anyone who has had contact with the victim since November 1, 2022

‘Equally, I would like anyone who lives in the areas of Oakwood Pond or the estates coming off Harberts Road, south of Fourth Avenue, and who has CCTV or doorbell video systems to contact us so that we can check it.

‘We also want to speak to anyone who regularly visits Oakwood Pond and the surrounding area, who has seen anything suspicious in the last two months.’

Anyone with information should contact Essex Police via a dedicated phone line on 0800 051 4526 or through the authority’s website.