Gruesome discovery of burnt body in Chippenham supermarket car park
Police were today investigating the grim discovery of a body under burning debris in Chippenham.
The burnt body was found after firefighters put out a fire in the car park of the town's Sainsbury's store in the early hours of this morning.
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The scene at the car park in Chippenham today. Picture Clare Green
A police dog handler on routine patrol made the grim discovering at 3am. The body was burnt beyond recognition.
Sainbury's in Bath Road has been closed and the car park sealed off as forensic experts investigate the scene.
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Wiltshire Police said today that officers had not been able to confirm if the body was a man or a woman and that it was too early to say if the incident was suspicious.
Detectives have appealed for help and want to speak to a young couple who were spotted walking through the car park holding hands.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector, Mark Power said: “We would like to hear from anyone who was in and around the area of the Sainsbury’s car park between the hours of 01.30am and 3am.
"The car park is quite active late at night, as people drive through here to use the cash point or walk through as a short cut.
"In particular, we would like to hear from you if you were driving through the car park or if you were the young couple who were spotted walking through the car park holding hands.
"You may hold information that would assist us in our enquiries, so I would urge you to speak to us.”
The body was discovered between trolley shelters in the car park, next to several bins.
A post mortem examination will take place at Flax Bourton Mortuary, near Bristol, this afternoon.
A earlier police statement said: "At approximately 3am a dog handler on a routine patrol discovered a fire in part of the Sainsbury’s car park in Bath Road, Chippenham.
"The fire service attended, extinguished the fire and the area was cordoned off.
"Once the fire was put out, the police have discovered a body within the debris.
"It is too early to say whether this incident is suspicious but enquiries continue."
Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Comments
by philistyn
Wednesday, August 22 2012, 3:58PM
“But if the body wasn't a man or a woman then what was it?”
by MrDuckham
Thursday, August 09 2012, 3:02PM
“PhilRogers
Maybe you should take a look at your post again and realise how childish you sound.”
by mcupis
Thursday, August 09 2012, 12:57PM
“Suicide is considered suspicious until it is proven to be suicide, because murderers often create circumstances to make murder appear to be suicide.”
by PhilRogers
Thursday, August 09 2012, 12:39PM
“I read it again. I think most readers would concur that you gave manslaughter and suicide as examples of 'criminal' activity. But I'll let others judge that.
Fact is, a suicide is considered 'NOT suspicious', so you were wrong on that, anyway.”
by mcupis
Thursday, August 09 2012, 12:29PM
“Phil, read my comment again. Suicide can be considered suspicious. Not criminal.”
by lollikins84
Thursday, August 09 2012, 12:11PM
“I think you all need to get a grip, arguing over how the article is written and the meaning of suspicious and non suspicious......someone is dead, it's horrific and deeply distressing. get over yourselves.”
by PhilRogers
Wednesday, August 08 2012, 5:12PM
“Malcolm - as so often, you have again posted with an inadequate grasp of fact. Suicide has not been 'criminal' since 1961.”
by airhellair
Wednesday, August 08 2012, 4:45PM
“perhaps the police should simply state the facts and leave it at that. .."
Well, they did, didn't they. The said:
"A earlier police statement said: "At approximately 3am a dog handler on a routine patrol discovered a fire in part of the Sainsbury's car park in Bath Road, Chippenham. The fire service attended, extinguished the fire and the area was cordoned off. Once the fire was put out, the police have discovered a body within the debris. It is too early to say whether this incident is suspicious but enquiries continue."
It they didn't say the last sentence, there will be many who would ask "....and?" I feel this was pitched exactly right.”
by clarysage50
Wednesday, August 08 2012, 1:00PM
“. Some people need to brush up on their police-speak awareness..."
Well, perhaps there is just a little too much 'police-speak'......perhaps the police should simply state the facts and leave it at that. Plenty of time for querying the reasons for what happened ie 'suspicious', 'not suspicious' - no one knows anything until the result of the postmortem so that is how it should be left.”
by mcupis
Wednesday, August 08 2012, 11:57AM
“Suspicious doesn't have to imply murder, it could imply any criminal act. Manslaughter or even suicide.”