‘i killed my dad and buried him in the garden’
Body found after woman’s shock ‘confession’
FORENSIC teams investigating a murder found a body buried in a back garden in Stockport last night.
Police confirmed that human remains, believed to be a man, were discovered at a property on Matlock Road in Reddish.
A murder investigation was launched on Sunday after a woman walked into a police station and claimed she had killed her dad and buried him.
She called at Cheadle Heath Police Station in Stockport to make the apparent confession – telling officers her father’s body had been concealed in the garden of her semi-detached home for several years.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed yesterday that a 63-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody for questioning.
Forensic officers began a search of the garden yesterday morning and two scene-of-crime tents were placed over the area.
Neighbours on the road reported GMP vans and cars coming and going since Sunday afternoon. It is understood 18 bins were also delivered to the property at the request of officers. Detective Inspector Dan Clegg, from GMP’s major incident team, said on last night: “Following a search of the garden of a property on Matlock Road in Reddish, officers discovered remains which were later confirmed to be human by a forensic pathologist. “The investigation is still in it’s early stages and many questions still need answers. “We will continue our work at the scene through the night and hope in the coming days we can piece together the exact circumstances surrounding the man’s death. “I would like to thank the community for their support as we continue to carry out our enquiries and we would like to reassure them that this is being treated incredibly seriously and we will do all that we can to find out what happened.” Police earlier said that the man’s family were being supported by specially-trained officers. Before the body was discovered, neighbours on the quiet crescent reacted to the police investigation and woman’s arrest. One nearby resident said: “It’s just very strange. She would always walk out and she’s always been very neigh-
Officers discovered remains later confirmed to be human DI Dan Clegg
bourly. It’s a close community. We’ve all lived here for years and years. All the kids went to school together.
“She has lived there for at least 20 years.
“She’s always been really lovely to us – just a normal woman.
“If I saw her we’d have a chat and we’d just talk about the kids.”
A neighbour who lives on Matlock Road added: “I would see her everyday, walking her dog.
“I cannot believe it. She is such a lovely person.
“I have known her for many, many years.”
Another neighbour told the M.E.N: “We’re quite a close neighbourhood. We’ve been here 20-odd years and we’ve never had my trouble.
“Nothing happens around here. We have Christmas lights and collections for the hospital.
“Very few people move in because people stay here for years.”
A GMP spokesman confirmed last night: “Police searching the garden of a home in Reddish have found a body.
“On Sunday, January 7, 2018, a woman presented herself at Cheadle Heath Police Station and disclosed that she had killed a man a number of years ago and buried his body in a garden on Matlock Road, Reddish.
“A murder investigation was launched and officers began searching the garden. Human remains were discovered which are believed to be those of a man.
“The man is yet be formally identified and a Home Office post mortem is due to take place in the next 24 hours.
“A 63-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.
“Officers investigating continue to appeal for anyone with any information to get in touch.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1273 of January 7, 2018, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.