Bones found near river confirmed to be human
BONES discovered by the River Avon in Warwickshire have been confirmed to be human.
The bones were discovered in Barford on Tuesday May 5.
Warwickshire Police have revealed that a post mortem examination of the bones confirmed that they are human and also that the discovery included part of a skull.
The update came after the bones were examined by experts on Friday May 15.
A Warwickshire Police spokesman said it was not possible to tell the sex of the person from the initial tests, or the age of the bones.
Further tests, including DNA testing and radiocarbon dating, will now take place, in a bid to identify the deceased person.
Police enquiries are continuing. The force spokesman said: “A post-mortem took place on Friday, which determined the partial skull recovered is human.
“It has not been possible to determine the sex of the deceased from the skull, and this will now be further examined for DNA and radiocarbon dating. The circumstances of the skull being found in this location is being treated as unexplained, and we are continuing to progress enquiries to identify the individual.”
The family of missing Coventry mum Nicola Payne have been advised over the discovery, though there is no evidence they are linked to her disappearance.
The latest police statement confirms local reports from a Barford villager that a skull and bones had been found under the bridge over the River Avon.
A second villager also spoke of seeing a skull at the scene.
Barford is located around three miles south of Warwick and forms part of the Warwick district.