Police officers from across the country continue to search for human remains in Cornwall as a murder investigation enters its third week. Forensic officers from Devon and Cornwall Police continue to comb through an area of woodland as they tape off a large section. The search comes after James Desborough, 39, was charged with the alleged murder of Daniel Coleman, 43, from St Austell.
Mr Coleman had been reported missing after being last seen in his home town on June 1 – he is alleged to have been killed between June 2 and July 7. Authorities are now searching Paramoor Woods, which is located outside Sticker, a small village between St Austell and Truro. On Monday, an unmarked white forensic van and a police riot van full of kit were parked near the entrance to a property in Lower Sticker.
A marked forensic van and a larger marked 4×4 vehicle were also present. A blue and white marquee had been set up, alongside chairs for officers and five yellow bin bags full of what appeared to be forensic overalls.
Two police officers from West Mercia and Staffordshire Police forces were outside the scene, along with a private security guard.
Speaking to CornwallLive, an inspector from West Mercia said that officers from other forces had been called in to assist with the investigation under a mutual aid agreement between authorities.
Further into the woods, officers were seen searching the ground behind an area cornered off with red tape – this typically indicates a dangerous or high-risk area which prohibits public entry.
Detective Superintendent Kev Till said last week: “This is an extremely complex and unique investigation with experts working methodically across a large and challenging area of woodland. Our enquiries are progressing with diligence and a significant police presence is expected to remain at the scene into the coming weeks.”
Desborough appeared before Bodmin Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody after he was charged earlier this month. He is due to appear before Truro Crown Court on August 8.
One local in the area said the situation has affected the residents: “It’s a lovely part of the woodlands. The village is very peaceful. I think the ripples of this will be felt massively. Things like this are rare of course. I feel immensely sad for the person who died, their family and the family of the perpetrator. I love those woods and we come here with the dog. It just doesn’t feel the same now.”
Another said: “I tend to walk the dog in those woods. This news is pretty big for Sticker as we’re such a tiny village. I did see the police presence in Paramoor Woods when walking the dogs. But I don’t want to speculate about any of it.”