EXCLUSIVE
By Daniel Evans
Crime Correspondent
A WOMAN'S skeleton has been found at a derelict factory site in Avonmouth, the Evening Post can exclusively reveal.
The grisly discovery of bones was made on Monday morning on overgrown land at what used to be Sevalco Ltd.
It sparked a thorough forensic investigation by Avon and Somerset police that is still going on today.
The bones were found close to two large crude oil tanks as clearance works were being carried out by Viridor Waste Management, which now owns a large part of the 20-acre site on Severn Road, Chittening.
Police do not yet know who the bones belong to.
As well as Crime Scene Investigators, a forensic archaeologist, forensic anthropologist and a botanist have been called in to help.
Police have released pictures of a dark blue fleece jacket and a left-footed trainer, warn by the deceased woman.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp, who is leading the investigation, said: "We believe she was fully clothed and there were no indications that any attempts had been made to bury or conceal her other than the fact that the site itself has become overgrown during the past few years.
"A post mortem examination has taken place but at this time the identity of the woman remains a mystery, and there is no obvious indication of her cause of death.
"Therefore, I have to keep a completely open mind about whether or not this could develop into a murder investigation.
"At present it is being treated as an unexplained death.
"We are awaiting the results of further forensic tests, including looking at the possibility of any DNA evidence which may help us discover who she is.
"What we do know is that she is most likely to have been a white woman, although we cannot rule out at this stage the possibility she may have been of mixed heritage.
"She was around 5ft 3 or 5ft 4ins tall, of medium build and probably aged between 30 and 45.
"The forensic examinations so far indicate that the remains could have been on site for up to eight years.
"We have found some clothing, including a fleece jacket and some training shoes, which I would ask people to look at and see if this prompts any thoughts about who this woman might be.
"We have a number of lines of enquiry we are following up, and have been since the remains were found.
"I would now appeal for anyone who thinks they have any information which can help the enquiry to come forward and speak to us."
The plant, where chemical company Sevalco used to make carbon black, a colouring used in tyres and other products, has been closed for more than two years.
Since then, it has been subject to several planning applications from Viridor and other companies who own parts of the land.
A Viridor spokesman confirmed that a planning application is in the pipeline to build an energy and waste management plant.
When asked how the investigation started, he confirmed: "We were doing clearance works on the site."
Last year, Viridor had an application to build a £200 million plant rejected by Bristol City Council's planning committee.
Anyone who can help the investigation should call police on 0845 4567000, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Human-remains-derelict-factory-site-Avonmouth/article-3321404-detail/article.html
