EXCLUSIVE: Mystery of body found on Hampstead Heath

Monday June 28, 2010

By CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS

THE body of a woman was discovered in bushes in Parliament Hill on Saturday afternoon, just feet from picnickers enjoying the hot weather. 

Police – who ordered people to move away as they poured into the beauty spot - are treating the woman’s death as unexplained and have cordoned off the area while forensic teams investigate. She has not been identified.

She was found just after 4.30pm in a bushy area by the cycle path between the men’s and mixed ponds. A post-mortem carried out yesterday (Sunday) was inconclusive and further tests are set to be done to establish her cause of death. 

A police press officer said: “Police were called after half four on Saturday to reports of a body found in bushes of the Parliament Hill area of Hampstead Heath. The body is believed to be that of a female and inquiries are ongoing to identify the body and inform next of kin.”

The investigation is currently being led by Camden CID in line with protocol for all unexplained deaths.

It is expected a coroner's inquest will open tomorrow.