River Bure Bodies Found: Police Say Death Of Surrey Couple Suspicious

Police Say Death Of Surrey Couple Suspicious

The death of a woman whose body was found in a river alongside her partner is being treated as suspicious.

Post-mortem tests on the man and woman, both in their 40s and from the Surrey area, were carried out on Monday. They found the woman died before entering the water, probably as the result of strangulation. The man died as the result of drowning, Norfolk Police said.

Neither body has been formally identified but police said the man's death was not being treated as suspicious.

Further forensic tests will be carried out on the woman's body and could take up to 48 hours

Detective Superintendent Jes Fry, of the joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, said: "Our concerns remain for the welfare of the 13-year-old girl.

"We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.

"Both deaths will now be referred to the coroner and a file will be prepared for the inquest."

Specialist river police found the 38ft Admiral hire craft on a stretch of the River Bure between Wroxham Broad and Salhouse Broad after being alerted by a boat rental company reporting that one of its vessels had not been returned on time.

Divers were deployed to search the river when officers found the woman's 13-year-old daughter alone but unharmed on the cruiser.

A mile-long stretch of the river was closed to the public over the weekend as the search was carried out. The bodies were found within metres of where the boat was moored.

It is understood the trio spent a week holidaying on the Broads and were due to return home on Saturday.

The mother, her boyfriend and the girl had all reportedly been seen having a barbecue on deck on Friday evening.

Some river users said the boat remained around the same isolated inlet throughout the week.

The girl is being cared for by family.

Several items including a computer and bed sheets were removed from one of the cruiser's bedrooms by forensic specialists after it was moved to a boatyard in nearby Horning. It is not clear if these items are being treated as evidence.

River police remained on the scene on Monday and police tape prevented pleasure boats entering the shallow inlet where the boat was moored.

The area is an isolated spot with no official mooring. It is surrounded by woodland and marsh with no foot access.

The deepest point of the river near the inlet is about 10ft, locals said. The area is largely clear of weeds and underwater obstacles.

Pleasure boats returned to the area on Monday afternoon as tourism got back to normal.

Tom Heaffey, who works at the Ferry Inn, Horning, told the Eastern Daily Press one of his colleagues saw the family having a barbecue on the boat near Salhouse Little Broad on Friday evening.

Mr Heaffey said he remembered the boat stopping at the pub for a meal earlier in the week.

Two scenes of crime vans and a police car were parked beside the boat today as forensic officers continued their search.

A spokesman for Le Boat, which owns the vessel, said: "Le Boat continues to co-operate fully with the police in their inquiries.

"As the investigation is ongoing, we cannot comment further on any details regarding this incident.

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with the family involved at this distressing time."

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