Skeletal remains of baby boy found hidden in suitcase in loft of house
13.09.2023 - 20:43
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The skeletal remains of a baby boy were found hidden in a suitcase in the loft of a house. The unidentified infant was found in the attic of a semi-detached property on Berwick Avenue in Heaton Mersey, Stockport.
A police investigation, including DNA analysis of the remains, failed to ascertain the precise time of death. However, it has revealed it could have happened as long ago as 1959.
Brief details of the grim discovery - which was made on March 6 last year - emerged as an inquest was formally opened into the death at Stockport Coroners' Court on Wednesday morning. Police coroners' officer Claire Smith told senior coroner Alison Mutch the identity of the baby had not yet been established, although DNA analysis of the 'skeletal remains' had revealed they belonged to a male infant.
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Asked about the age of the baby at the time of death, Ms Smith agreed with the coroner that the remains belonged to an infant, but said she 'cannot be more precise than that'.
The coroners' officer also agreed that the time of death was 'unascertained, broadly speaking'. The hearing was told 'mitochondrial DNA testing' had been carried out.
"I think that provided a link to the family that resided there," said Ms Mutch, and the coroners' officer agreed. A Home Office pathologist has carried out a post mortem examination, but they were unable to provide a cause of death, the hearing was told.
Ms Mutch said: "I think the family were clearing the address and they found a suitcase within the property in one of the rooms and when they opened it these remains were found in it." Police coroners' officer Smith said: "That's correct."
Ms Mutch said it