The body of a baby discovered under floorboards by workers renovating a house had been there for 30 years, it is understood.
Two business owners in the old market town of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, have been told the remains of the child found on Tuesday had stayed undiscovered for three decades.
The grisly find was made by contractors renovating a residential flat on Fore Bondgate which has been empty for a number of years, it is understood.
The restaurant below the flat, Castle Pizza, opened for the first time on Monday but was forced to close due to the gruesome discovery.
The owner, who didn’t want to be named, said: ‘It’s a shock.
‘I heard the remains are from 30 years ago.’ They added: ‘It’s a horrible thing to have happened.’
The flat where the baby’s skeleton was found is above a pizza shop (pictured)
The restaurant below the flat, Castle Pizza, opened for the first time on Monday but was forced to close due to the gruesome discovery
Police and crime scene investigation officers at the scene after the skeleton was found
The skeleton of a baby was found underneath floorboards at the old flat
Officers at the scene after the skeleton of a baby was found under floorboards
The grisly find was made by contractors renovating a residential flat on Fore Bondgate which has been empty for a number of years, it is understood
Amir Monirpour, 37, who owns Speedy Pepper just down the road, also heard the remains were 30-years-old.
He said: ‘It’s a stressful thing to have happened. The most important thing is that my staff are safe.
‘I am shocked and surprised by the discovery.’ He added: ‘The remains are 30-years-old. It would be worse if it was more recent.’
The street is mainly comprised of businesses, many of them empty, with few residential properties.
It is one of the oldest streets in Bishop Auckland and is built on top of a Roman Road.
Three police vans were at the scene on Tuesday evening while forensics could be seen coming and going from the property. It was last sold in 2006 for £115,000.
A full statement from Durham Police read: ‘Contractors working on a property renovation in Bishop Auckland have discovered what appears to be human remains.
‘The skeleton of a baby was found beneath floorboards in an upstairs room at an address in Fore Bondgate at approximately 11.15am on Monday.
The skeleton of the baby was found at a property in Fore Bondgate on Tuesday
The remains are being recovered from the building this afternoon and police teams are set to carry out a full search of the property
The skeleton of a baby has been found underneath the floorboards at a house
‘The body is being recovered from the building this afternoon and police teams will then carry out a full search of the property.
‘Forensic analysts, including an expert anthropologist, have been brought in to examine the skeleton to help determine its age and how long it has been in the current location.
‘A post-mortem examination and CT scan are scheduled for later this week to determine the cause of death.
‘Detectives from Durham Constabulary have also begun tracing previous residents of the property.’
Detective Chief Inspector Mel Sutherland said: ‘Our investigations are at an early stage.
The grim discovery was made by contractors who were renovating a property on Fore Bondgate in Bishop Auckland
Forensic analysts including an expert anthropologist have been brought in to examine the body to help determine its age and how long it has been there
‘Obviously, this is a sensitive enquiry and at this point, we remain open-minded as to the circumstances surrounding the death.’
Forensic analysts, including an expert anthropologist, have been brought in to examine the skeleton to help determine its age and how long it has been in the property.
A post mortem examination and CT scan are scheduled for later this week to determine the cause of the baby’s death.
Detectives from Durham Constabulary have also started tracing previous residents of the property.
