Anger as charges yet to be brought

Families at the centre of a major investigation into a Hull funeral directors say a delay in making a decision on whether to bring charges is adding to their distress.

Humberside Police began investigating Legacy Independent Funeral Directors on 6 March after receiving a report of “concern for care of the deceased”.

In an update on Tuesday, the force said formal identification of 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes removed from the firm’s premises on Hessle Road in Hull “has now concluded”.

Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said the investigation was “multifaceted and extremely complex”.

He added that two suspects – a 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman – remained on bail.

Both were arrested at Heathrow Airport after returning from a trip to the US, on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position.

Mr McLoughlin said: “I want to offer my utmost assurance we remain committed to thoroughly, and sensitively, investigating, and working with our partner agencies to ensure the families and those affected receive the help and support they need.

He added: “Investigations into allegations of suspected financial and fraudulent activity are continuing, with dedicated, specialist investigation teams conducting various lines of enquiry and following up on numerous leads and information.”

Peter Welburn said he paid £1,900 to Legacy for his wife Shirley’s funeral and received what he thought were her ashes on 23 December.

However, the former trawlerman said he was then informed Mrs Welburn, 72, was not cremated until 16 January.

Speaking about the delays in bringing charges, Mr Welburn said: “How long is it going to go on for? This has been going on three months. People are angry. Everyone is sick of it now.”

Tristan Essex’s grandmother Jessie Stockdale, 89, was one of the 35 deceased people found at Legacy. In May, Mr Essex held a second funeral for her at Hull Minster.

He said: “This has further delayed us, and the other families involved, getting the justice we deserve. It already feels as though we have waited an excessively long time.”

A woman who said her grandfather’s body was also found at Legacy months after she thought he had been cremated said she was “really disappointed” in the police investigation.

The woman, who did not want to be named, added: “Every day I have to go about my life and pretend everything is normal when all I can think about is my grandad being in their chapel of rest for four months.

“It makes me sick to think that [those responsible] might get away with it all. It’s been months now, and even though my grandad has finally been put to rest properly, it’s all I can think about 24 hours a day, and I don’t think I ever will stop thinking about it.

“I just want [those responsible] to get what they deserve and pay for all the hurt they have caused.”

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