Police and forensic officers swarm funeral home after 34 bodies removed for investigation

Police officers swarmed a Hull funeral home at the centre of a major investigation today (March 11) after 34 bodies were removed due to worries about the care of the deceased.

Officers cordoned off three branches of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors after the force received a report on Wednesday of concerns about the “storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased”.

At lunchtime today, eight police vehicles could be seen parked outside the Hessle Road branch, which now appears to be the main focus of the investigation. Forensics officers dressed in white protective suits and the maritime protection unit were also spotted at the branch.

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On Sunday, Humberside Police said a 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position.

Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said on Sunday: “We can confirm that a man aged 46 and a woman aged 23 have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position and remain in police custody at this time.

“As part of our investigation, as of today (Sunday March 10), we can confirm 34 deceased people have now been respectfully transported from Legacy Funeral Directors based on Hessle Road to the mortuary in Hull for formal identification procedures to take place."

Meanwhile, Emma Hardy, the Hull West and Hessle MP, said she was "very grateful to the police for working around