Police release images of potential witnesses after human remains found in Sudbury river
Human remains were discovered in the River Stour in August 2020 - leading police to launch a murder investigation
Police investigating the discovery of human remains in a river in Sudbury say they're now trying to trace two potential witnesses.
The remains were found in two black bin bags in the River Stour, near Meadow Gate and Croft Bridge, at around 4:35pm on August 27 2020.
Officers are treating the case as a potential murder, although the victim has never been identified.
Forensic testing has determined that it was a white man, in his late 50s or early 60s, with an 'athletic or muscular build'. He was around 5ft 9in tall.
It's thought he died sometime between 2008 and 2012.
A 26 year old man from Sudbury was arrested in connection with the case last May, but has now been released and told he'll face no further action.
Police have reviewed 1,800 pieces of evidence and spoken to 1,500 people as part of their investigation.
They're now looking for two people - a man and a woman - who were seen walking two dogs and pulling a shopper trolley bag along Melford Road on August 19 2020. They are not being treated as suspects.
Detective Superintendent Mike Brown, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: “We remain fully committed to solving this complex case and obtaining justice for the victim and any family he may have had.
“We are focussed on three main strands as part of this investigation: the identity of the victim; any persons involved in his death; and anyone involved in the deposition of the remains.
“As we have said from the beginning, this is a very long process and when we get initial results back they very often then need to be subjected to further tests, however we continue to learn more about the victim as we go along.
“However, another key line of enquiry for us is obviously how the victim’s remains came to be deposited in the river.
"The person or persons who did this may not have knowledge of who the victim was or how he died, but quite clearly they will know something of significance to the investigation.
“Therefore, we continue to appeal to anyone who believes they have any information about the discovery of the remains to come forward.
"If someone you know was acting suspiciously or displayed a real change in their character in the days and weeks before - and after - the discovery which gives you concern, then please come forward and talk to us. Any information you provide will be dealt with in confidence."