Murder probe after human remains found in pond near hospital in Harlow on New Year’s Eve

A MURDER investigation has been launched after human remains were found in a pond close to an NHS hospital.

Police have cordoned off entrances to the green wooded area surrounding Oakwood Pond, Harlow, where the remains were discovered on New Year’s Eve.

This afternoon the pond was being drained as specialist officers searched the area.

Police were first called to Oakwood Pond after reports of a “suspicious object in the water” on New Year’s Eve.

However a dog walker is believed to have spotted something in the water two days earlier.

The lake is set in parkland close to the Princess Alexandra hospital.

The remains were likely to have been there for “several weeks”, police have said.

The investigation is still at a very early stage, but the Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate is calling those with information to come forward.

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby said: “We were called shortly before 2pm on Saturday by (a) member of the public who reported a suspicious object in the water.”

He said that under the circumstances in which the body was found police believe the person’s death is suspicious, adding that the investigation is in its early stages.

Mr Kirby said they expect the cordon to be in place for several days as they carry out searches of the area, including draining a pond.

Police are still working to identify the victim.

Detective Chief Inspector Antony Alcock said: “It’s the really early stages of this investigation and we are working to determine what has happened.

“I understand that this is concerning news for local residents and our officers are likely to remain in the area for the next few days to continue enquiries.

“We ask that the public respect the cordons in place and we will be updating the public as the investigation develops.”