A human skull, a murder investigation and decades for the horrific truth to be revealed

On a summer's day in 1958, a walker in Salford found a human skull. Discovered in a peat bog, the man noticed a piece of bone with 'teeth attached', before the remnants of a skull and rotting flesh was pulled from the ground.

The gruesome discovery, now found some 66 years ago, prompted a murder probe. Local police were informed and an extensive search over 250 surrounding acres was carried out over five days by officers and forensics - but nothing was found.

The police activity sent rumours flying around the local area. Reports from the time suggested chatter about 'skeletons and murder' had spread through the nearby villages.

The skull showed signs of decay, but preserved hair and tissue initially suggested it was a recent death.

The story behind the unearthing of the skull remained much of a mystery for years until further analysis by archaeologists later revealed the real harrowing truth.

Looking back at the case, the Manchester Evening News was also granted access to a publications by Research Explorer Melanie Giles, based at the University of Manchester and former newspaper cuttings.

A Manchester Evening News article, published on August 19, 1958, was headlined: "C.I.D called to skull in trench riddle". The article reported how police had probed the peat in the mossy area in search for 'other remains of a body'.

At the time, murder was not being ruled out. A police spokesman said: "It could be anything. We don't know yet", as checks were also made against missing persons files in a bid to identify who the remains belonged to.

John Connally, from Tyldesley, had discovered the remains. "I was walking along the trench clearing out peat which had fallen in when I saw what looked like a white ball. I kicked it and