Inquiry into care of dead investigates port claims

AN inquiry chairman investigating how dead people are looked after around the country in the wake of necrophiliac killer David Fuller’s mortuary abuse has said his review is following the “disturbing” allegations made against a funeral directors in Hull.

The independent inquiry into Fuller’s crimes and issues raised by them is reviewing how deceased people are looked after in settings including private mortuaries, private ambulances and the funeral sector.

Legacy Independent Funeral Directors has been under investigation after officers recovered bodies, as well as suspected human ashes, at its site on Hessle Road in Hull.

Humberside Police said detectives had been working “around the clock” since concerns were raised on March 8 “about the storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased at the funeral directors”.

Yesterday, the David Fuller inquiry published recordings of meetings with funeral directors to help the public understand their work.

Sir Jonathan Michael, the chair of the inquiry, also addressed another alleged incident where a man was charged with a sexual offence and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence against a deceased adult in Grimsby.

Sir Jonathan said: “I am of course aware of the deeply disturbing news of the allegations concerning Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, and allegations regarding sexual offences in a hospital mortuary, and other cases.

“The inquiry cannot investigate specific incidents and is mindful that police investigations and judicial proceedings are continuing. The inquiry will continue to follow developments in both cases closely.”

The inquiry is currently looking at hospital and non-hospital settings in England where deceased people were kept.