BODY parts found in a Northampton lake at the start of the week are human, pathology tests have revealed.Now Suffolk police are awaiting the results of DNA tests on the remains – a lower part of a right leg attached to a complete foot – to establish if they belong to alleged murder victim Ian Halls.
BODY parts found in a Northampton lake at the start of the week are human, pathology tests have revealed.
Now Suffolk police are awaiting the results of DNA tests on the remains – a lower part of a right leg attached to a complete foot – to establish if they belong to alleged murder victim Ian Halls.
The 63-year-old, who lived in Tower Mill Road in Ipswich, was reported missing by his worried stepsister on January 29.
A dog walker made the grim discovery near the Northampton Water Ski Club at Ransome Road Lake on Monday lunchtime.
It comes around six weeks after the former librarian's head, hands and upper left leg were fished out of the River Witham, near Boston in Lincolnshire.
A spokesman for Northampton Police said yesterday: “We are now able to confirm that the items found in Ransome Road Lake on Monday afternoon are in fact the remains of a lower part of a right leg attached to a complete foot.
“Detective Chief Inspector Charles Moffatt has liased with Suffolk police over a case they are dealing with and enquiries are continuing, pending confirmation of the identity of the remains via DNA tests that is expected during the next few days.”
Suffolk police said yesterday that they believe the DNA tests are being given priority, and they hope to have the results by the end of this week.
Ransome Road Lake, a former gravel pit, is a popular site for both anglers and water skiers – and news of the discovery was buzzing round the area yesterday.
But Richard Stevenage-Jones, chairman of the Northampton Nene Angling Club, whose members fish the lake, said yesterday that activities would continue as normal.
“We've got people out on the lake fishing today and there's an angling match scheduled for Sunday,” he added.
“It's fairly grim, but life has to go on.”
n Mr Halls' nephew, Michael Harvey, of North Down Avenue in Manchester, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court charged with his murder on May 4.
The 49-year-old was remanded in custody until the next court hearing on August 5.
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