Police launch murder probe after body find

Acting on information from an undisclosed source, officers descended on the house at 2 Blenheim Close last Wednesday and spent two days excavating the rear garden.

The remains of two people were removed and taken away for forensic examination, but a Home Office post-mortem failed to provide conclusive evidence of who the bodies where or how they died.

But Det Chief Insp Rob Griffin, from the East Midlands Major Crime Unit, who is leading the investigation, confirmed detectives are treating the discovery as murder and believe the remains are those of Patricia and William Wycherley - a reclusive elderly couple who ‘vanished’ in the late 1990s.

He added that despite extensive investigations, no trace of Mr and Mrs Wycherley, either alive or dead, has been found.

Det Chief Insp Griffin said: “The circumstances in which the bodies were found have led us to launch a murder inquiry.

“Neighbours have described the Wycherleys as a reclusive couple who kept themselves to themselves and had few friends.

“They were never reported missing and we can find no trace of them - either living or dead. The discovery in the garden last week may be the reason why. I am confident that the remains discovered are those of William and Patricia.”

On Friday, the Chad exclusively revealed online that neighbours had described how the couple moved to Forest Town from the London area in 1987 and ‘vanished’ in the late 1990s.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 0115 844 5012 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

PICTURED: Forest Town police inspector Mark Webster reassuring residents following the grim discovery

Neighbours speak of reclusive couple - clickhere

Forensics key to investigation - clickhere