Teenager's remains lay unburied for less than 18 months

9:06am Wednesday 15th October 2008

A teenage girl's skull discovered in woods by playing children had been there for less than 18 months.

Sussex Police launched an investigation after the grisly find was made in the Queensway area, in Hastings, on Monday.

Officers later discovered a pelvic bone and a fibia. Police said none of the remains appeared to have been buried.

Experts said the bones were those of a woman, in her mid teens to early 20s and had been there for a maximum of 18 months.

They had initially suspected they could have been there for up to 10 years.

The skull was found between Wishing Tree Reservoir and Crowhurst Road.

Forensics officers were yesterday searching and analysing the area beneath a tree where the bones were found.

The immediate area has been sealed off and guarded.

A wider search by specialist officers will start shortly.

Police have begun trawling through missing person reports for 10 to 20-year-olds as part of their attempts to identify the remains.

Scientists are continuing to analyse the gruesome discovery for further clues.

Det Ch Insp Adam Hibbert, of Sussex Police, said it was too early to speculate as to the cause of death and the key priority was to establish the identity of the victim.

He said: "Following the discovery of the skull and other body parts we have launched an inquiry to establish exactly who the victim was and how she came to be in the location in which she was found.

"At this time we are keeping an open mind and it is too early to speculate as to what happened.

"Our priority is to investigate this as fully as possible and, as always, we would welcome any help from the public."

Anyone with information should call 0845 6070999.

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