Police have launched a murder investigation and have arrested two men after a body was discovered in Borstal woods, Gillingham, Kent near where a teddy bear hunt was taking place
A man’s body was found in a “fly-covered” suitcase in woodland near to where a children’s teddy bear hunt was taking place. The grim discovery was made in Borstal Recreation Ground in Gillingham, Kent on Friday (July 10).
It comes after officers were called to Kingfisher Court, Wandsworth, Wimbledon the day before following reports of a murder shortly before midday. The property was empty upon their arrival, but police suspected foul play and launched an investigation which resulted in the arrest of two men, aged 27 and 32, on suspicion of murder.
It’s believed that the pair had travelled 30 miles away to Kent and visited Medway Police Station in Gillingham, but further details have not been disclosed as the pair are currently being held in custody.
Sadly, the investigation led to the discovery of a deceased man in the woodlands of Borstal, in Gillingham. Police believe they know the identity of the deceased man, although formal identification is yet to take place and his next of kin have been notified.
The victim and the two arrested men were known to each other. A third man was also taken into custody on suspicion of aiding an offender, and has since been released on bail, according to MyLondon.
One resident, who did not want to be named, had been at the park at a teddy bear hunt for a local nursery fundraising event, and told KentOnline: “I saw the luggage before the police. I was with my niece and nephew, so I was busy keeping them from seeing it.
“What I saw was the suitcase covered in hundreds of flies. I actually heard the buzzing from them first. I noticed that it was a large suitcase and had a snow sledge next to it.”
Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, who is heading up the investigation, stated: “Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family who are understandably distraught at their loss.
“We will continue to offer them every support. This has been a fast-moving investigation and we are working tirelessly to establish the exact circumstances of the incident.
“Although we have made two arrests and do not believe there is any wider risk to the public, we would ask that anyone with information comes forward to police as soon as possible by calling 101 with CAD 9504/9JUL.”
The Met Police issued a full statement: “At around 22:55hrs on Thursday, 9 July, police received a report of a potential murder at an address on Kingfisher Court, off Queensmere Road, Wandsworth.
“Officers attended the scene. No-one was found in the property but after carrying out a search, officers believed someone had come to harm at the address and an investigation was launched.
“On Friday, 10 July, the Met was notified that two men, aged 27 and 32, had attended Medway Police Station in Gillingham, Kent. They were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody at this time.
“Later that day, officers attended a wooded area in Borstal, Kent where a man was sadly found deceased.
“Although formal identification is yet to take place, officers believe they know the identity of the victim and have contacted his next-of-kin, who are being supported by specialist officers.
“The victim and the two men arrested were known to each other. A third man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and has since been bailed.”