Separate murder investigations launched in Mid Cornwall
Detectives can confirm today [Friday 4 July] that two separate murder investigations are now ongoing in the Mid Cornwall area.
These follow the arrest of a man and a woman this week in connection with a missing person enquiry and what is believed to be the unrelated discovery of a body in woodland.
Officers attended a property in Sticker, near St Austell, on Monday 30 June as part of enquiries into a missing man.
As a result of these enquiries, a 39-year-old man from Sticker was arrested on suspicion of fraud. Further information came to light during a search which resulted in the man also being arrested on suspicion of murder.
A woman aged in her 30s from the Newquay area was subsequently also arrested on suspicion of murder.
Both suspects have been released on police bail while enquiries continue.
At around 6pm on Tuesday 1 July, officers were called to a wooded area between Truro and Probus where the body of a deceased man was found.
Formal identification has now been completed and it has been confirmed that the body is not that of the man who is the subject of the initial missing person investigation.
The body discovered on 1 July is that of a man aged in his 40s. His death is currently being treated as suspicious and will form part of a separate investigation. The man’s next-of-kin have been informed.
Detective Superintendent Jon Bancroft said: “While our enquiries are at an early stage, we believe these are separate investigations which are not linked.
“Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team will be considering all possible lines of enquiry and members of the public should be reassured every available resource is being utilised to do so.
“There will be an increased police presence in the area and, if people in our communities have concerns, please share them with us.”
Detective Inspector Neil Blanchard, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, added: “We appreciate how the unique circumstances surrounding these investigations may be causing the public concern.
“The discovery of a body, the day after a male suspect was arrested, has proven to be unrelated to the initial missing person investigation. The circumstances around the death of the man whose body was found will now be investigated separately.”
“There is nothing to indicate any risk to the public and we are asking the people not to speculate online as the investigation continues.”
Contact us via our website here or calling 101.
Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555111.