Two men have been charged in connection with a murder investigation following the discovery of a body in a suitcase by families participating in a teddy bear hunt. Police were initially alerted to a potential crime at an address on Kingfisher Court in Wandsworth on Thursday evening.
Officers at the Wandsworth property found no one present but initiated a murder investigation based on evidence of foul play. Subsequently, Joshua Miller, 32, and Jamie Cooper, 27, both residents of Kingfisher Court, were arrested.
The Metropolitan Police announced Friday that Miller has been charged with murder, and both men face a charge of preventing a lawful burial. They have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The victim’s body was found on Friday in a wooded area of Borstal Recreation Ground in Rochester, Kent. Families taking part in a teddy bear hunt discovered the suitcase, which was reportedly covered in flies.
Police have stated that the victim was known to the two men who have been charged. A third man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail.
While formal identification of the victim is pending, authorities believe they have identified the individual and are providing support to the next-of-kin through specialist officers. Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, leading the investigation, commented, "Our thoughts remain with the victim's family who are understandably distraught at their loss. We will continue to offer them every support."
Dalloway added, "This has been a fast-moving investigation and we are working tirelessly to establish the exact circumstances of the incident. Although we have made two arrests and do not believe there is any wider risk to the public, we would ask that anyone with information comes forward to police as soon as possible by calling 101 with CAD 9504/9JUL."