Two murders in Cornwall

They're not linked

The body of a man found in woodland near Truro is not that of a missing person about which two people are being questioned on suspicion of murder.

A man and a woman were arrested after police attended a property in Sticker, near St Austell, on Monday as part of enquiries into a missing man.

Initially a 39-year-old man from Sticker was arrested on suspicion of fraud. Further information came to light during a search which resulted in the man also being arrested on suspicion of murder.

A woman aged in her thirtiess from the Newquay area was subsequently also arrested on suspicion of murder.

Detectives have been granted warrants of further detention to question them.

Separately at around 6pm on Tuesday 1 July officers were called to a wooded area between Truro and Probus where a man's body was found.

Formal identification has confirmed it is not that of the subject of the missing person investigation.

The man's death is being treated as suspicious and will form part of a separate investigation. The man’s next-of-kin have been informed.

Detective Superintendent Jon Bancroft said: “While our enquiries are at an early stage, we believe these are separate investigations which are not linked.

“Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team will be considering all possible lines of enquiry and members of the public should be reassured every available resource is being utilised to do so.

“There will be an increased police presence in the area and,  if people in our communities have concerns, please share them with us.”

Detective Inspector Neil Blanchard, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, added: “We appreciate how the unique circumstances surrounding these investigations may be causing the public concern.

“The discovery of a body, the day after a male suspect was arrested, has proven to be unrelated to the initial missing person investigation. The circumstances around the death of the man whose body was found will now be investigated separately.”

“There is nothing to indicate any risk to the public and we are asking the people not to speculate online as the investigation continues.”