A MAJOR murder-style inquiry was launched today after a badly decomposed body was found in secluded woodland.
The remains were discovered hidden by undergrowth at Bilton, near Harrogate, by a man out looking for his lost cat.
The body was in such poor condition that detectives are unable to say yet whether they are those of a man or a woman and a Home Office pathologist is now examining the remains.
The area of the find, some 60 yards from Bilton Lane, was sealed off as forensic experts made a painstaking search of the area.
A 16-strong team of detectives are currently carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area and missing persons records are being reviewed.
The most perplexing missing persons case in the area has been that of 38-year-old nurse Marsha Wray, a mother-of-two who disappeared in 1997
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article