| Can you help?
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Major Crime Team has launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a body on Southampton Common.
We were called at 4.40pm on Wednesday 8 October, after the body, believed to be an adult, was found in a wooded area in the centre of the Common close to the wildlife reserve, north of Ornamental Lake and to the right of Green Path, by a member of the public.
Our investigation is in the early stages as we try to establish the identity of the deceased and the circumstances, but the death is currently being treated as suspicious.
We believe the victim may have been homeless and living on the Common. There are indications there was a significant fire at some point in the same location as to where the body was found. This may have been a number of months ago.
Officers remain at the scene while enquires continue. No arrests have been made at this time.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Gillooly said: “We have allocated significant resources and specialist officers into the early stages of our investigation to enable us to identify the deceased and progress our enquiries.
“The area where the body was located on the Common is remote, overgrown, and away from footpaths, but I have no doubt that members of the local community may hold key information that can assist us. At this time investigators are working hard to establish a time-frame for the offence, this could potentially be a number of months ago.
“We’re especially keen to hear from anyone who may remember seeing smoke or a fire in this area. We also want to build a list of people who may have relevant footage that can help our enquiries. Do you use GoPro cameras or similar when running or cycling on the Common? Does your business’ CCTV or video doorbell capture footage of people leaving the Common. Please contact us in case your footage could he
Help us to progress our investigation.
“Officers will remain in the area and the Neighbourhood Policing Team will be carrying out regular patrols. Please speak to these uniformed officers if you have any information. We understand that this is a concerning incident for our community and officers are there to provide reassurance. We will also be attending events including the Southampton parkrun, where we will be available to speak to you”.
Anyone who may be able to provide footage to assist us should submit information here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/44HC25W11-PO2
You can also call 101 and quote incident number 44250456238.
Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.” |
