Roofers alert police to remains in house of reclusive Helmsley trio, since released on bail

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A historic market town has been left “shocked and horrified” by the arrest of three people after human remains were found in a stone cottage which was once part of an aristocratic estate.

Roofers were struck by a foul smell while removing tiles and coping stones from the house in Helmsley, North Yorkshire. Police were called in and the remains of an adult were discovered inside the terraced cottage, which has been occupied for more than 20 years by a reclusive trio thought to be from Japan.

On Thursday, forensics officers began a search of the house and the front garden.

A 46-year-old man and 51-year-old woman – believed to be siblings – were arrested along with a 75-year-old woman who also lived at the address on Bondgate, once part of the Duncombe Park estate owned by Jasper Feversham.

The man and younger woman were often seen walking around the market town although they avoided interactiing with other residents. Local people said the elderly woman rarely left the house and only a few people knew she lived there.

Penny Bradley, who works in the petrol station and shop from which the pair ordered their weekly food shop by letter, said the man was believed to be a writer.

“The rumour is that he is an author and most people think they are brother and sister but it’s hard to be certain because they never speak to anyone,” she said.

“They shop for their food at the garage because they had a string of complaints about staff at the local Costcutter shop.

“Although they speak broken English they both write it perfectly and neatly. I know that because they would write letters of complaint about staff in Costcutter at the time I worked there.”



A neighbour in the cottages claimed the body was found when another neighbour was having building work done.

“The roofers were at work when they noticed a dreadful smell. I don’t know what they uncovered but the police were called in and the body was found,” said the neighbour, who did not wish to be named.

“It’s chilling, people are shocked and horrified that such a thing has happened here. Helmsley is your typical Yorkshire market town, you don’t get much to talk about from one year to the next.”

The Helmsley town councillor Chris Parkin, who runs a B&B at the end of the terrace, said: “They didn’t take part in anything, they went out as a pair and they shopped together as a pair, although the popular speculation here is that they are brother and sister.

“It is only speculation because people just don’t know them.”

North Yorkshire police said the three people had been released on bail while the investigation continued.

“The death is currently being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” a spokeswoman said.