Investigation launched after human remains found near Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Investigation launched after human remains found near Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough

5:00pm Friday 29th June 2012 in News By Graeme Hetherington

THE discovery of human remains on farmland has sparked an extensive police investigation.

Forensic tests are still being carried out in the area, just off Stokesley Road on the Newham Hall Farm estate near Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, after workman made the discovery on Wednesday afternoon.

Detectives said it is too early in the investigation to determine how long the body has been at the site and whether the remains are male or female.

Officers are continuing to work at the site, while police vehicles block the entrance to Newham Hall, currently owned by Risdale and Company.

Until the remains have been formally identified detectives are unable to link the remains to any missing people - including Donna Keogh, who has been missing from her Middlesbrough home since 1998, or Rachel Wilson, who was last seen in May 2002.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “At this stage it is too early to give an indication of how old the bones may be, until they have been thoroughly and forensically examined it is difficult to place an exact age on them. We are also unable to tell whether they are male or female.

“A full examination of the scene is currently underway and forensic enquiries are ongoing to establish the origin of the remains. Although we are working as quickly as we can, this process may take some time.

“Specially trained officers are making contact with specific families to inform them of developments and offer support, however, at this stage we will not speculate on the identity.”

Donna Keogh was 17-years-old when she vanished in 1998 from Hartington Road, near the Shipmate pub in the town centre. She was the first of three girls to go missing from Middlesbrough.

The body of Vicky Glass was found in a shallow grave on the North York Moors in November 2000, two months after she disappeared.

Rachel Wilson, 19, was last seen in May 2002. Like Donna, she has never been found.

Staff based at the site of the discovery were unable to shed any light on the circumstances surrounding the investigation.

A spokesman for Risdale and Company said: “We had no idea what was going on, we turned up for work on Wednesday and the road was shut off.”

Similarly a spokeswoman for the Jopling family who occupy Newham Hall Farm, said: “We certainly have no information on this.”