Grandson of alleged Hull funeral home victim ‘feels helpless’ after police call ‘error’

A man who used Legacy Independent Funeral Directors when his grandmother died says he feels “helpless” as he awaits the results of formal identification.

The man told Sky News that he received his grandmother’s ashes after cremation last November. But earlier this month his “whole world was turned upside down” when the Legacy investigation was launched.

Police told him a body had been found at the funeral home in Hessle Road, which they suspected was his grandmother. He said he then received a series of confusing calls from police regarding formal identification.

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According to the Sky News report, the man received a call from police last Friday telling him the body was his grandmother. The man said that, a short time later, his police liaison officer called and told him that the first call could have been a prank call as DNA results had not been returned. A few hours later, the liaison officer called again to say that the first call had indeed been the police, but DNA results were not back yet.

Deputy Chief Constable Dave Marshall, of Humberside Police, told Sky News that an error had been made as officers attempted to keep families up-to-date with a complex investigation. He said: “Specialist trained family liaison officers have met with the family to which this report relates to offer our reassurance and we will continue to support them in any way that we can, as our intentions are to provide a compassionate service to those who have been affected.

“The families affected as part of this investigation are our utmost concern and priority, and in this case, whilst trying to ensure we offer as much support through keeping families informed and up to date with the investigation and its progression, an error has been made on our part. This is a large-scale and complex, criminal investigation and the volume of contact we have received from the public and those affected by this incident has been significant.

“I want to offer my reassurance that any information in relation to identification would only ever be delivered through a specially trained family liaison officer, and always face to face, to provide the care and assistance needed to the family who are awaiting answers.”

With the process of formal identification expected to take some time, the grandson told Sky News that the situation had left him feeling “disheartened and discouraged”. He had been left with “no closure, no support”. He added: “It doesn’t put my mind at ease because we don’t know.”

Police launched an investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors on Wednesday, March 6, following a report of concern for the care of the deceased. Humberside Police cordoned off three funeral homes.

Last week, Humberside Police said 35 bodies had been removed from premises belonging to the business in Hessle Road, west Hull. The bodies were taken to a mortuary in Hull for formal identification procedures.

Hull City Council and East Riding Council have pledged support for the families affected by the investigation. Meanwhile, the local authorities have arranged to visit every funeral director in Hull and East Yorkshire to check on their procedures for caring for the deceased.

The National Crime Agency is supporting the Humberside Police investigation into Legacy. A 46-year-old man and 23-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position. They were later released on bail.