'Multiple bodies' found in woods as police investigate alleged murder
Multiple bodies have reportedly been found in the woodlands where an alleged murder is being probed.
Cops from all over the country have been brought in to help Devon and Cornwall Police scour the woods outside the Cornish village of Sticker after the body of a missing person was discovered.
A source told Cornwall Live that the investigation - which also involves private security staff and a drone ban - now involves a number of bodies.
However when they asked the force about this, Detective Superintendent Jon Bancroft, from the team investigating since the body of missing man Daniel Coleman, 43, was found there, refused to answer.
Police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez told a Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel on July 25 that the force, along special units from the National Crime Agency and officers from around the UK, have been searching for the remains of multiple people.
The site is Paramoor Woods, a small woodland area just off the A390 between St Austell and Truro, where searches have been ongoing for three weeks.
Images from the scene show an unmarked white forensic van along with a police riot van full of kit were parked in a layby near the entrance to a property in Lower Sticker.
A small blue and white marquee was also in situ along with a marquee with camping chairs for officers to be able to shelter out of the rain when needing a break or cup of tea. Five yellow bin bags full of what looks like forensic overalls could be seen by the CSI tent.
A portable toilet was also in place while more police vehicles were parked farther down the woodland country lane.
On the other side of the road, a large area closed with red police tape could also be seen with officers probing the ground. When we asked about the significance of the red tape, one of the officers from Staffordshire Police told us it was just as part of the officers' "training".
Red police tape at crime scenes typically indicates a dangerous or high-risk area and tells people that entry is prohibited and that the scene needs to be preserved.
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DS Bancroft said it was an "extremely complex and unique investigation with experts working methodically across a large and challenging area of woodland", adding that their "enquiries are progressing with diligence and a significant police presence is expected to remain at the scene into the coming weeks".
The search of the woodland area outside Sticker followed the arrest of one man in connection with the murder of Mr Coleman, from St Austell, who had been reported missing since June 1. He is alleged to have been killed between June 2 and July 7.
James Desborough, 39, has been charged with the murder of Mr Coleman and has since appeared before Bodmin Magistrates' Court and was remanded in custody. He is due to appear before Truro Crown Court on August 8.
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