This has been our updated blog after human remains were found in the Forest of Dean on Tuesday night.

Gareeca Conita Gordon, 27, of Salisbury Road, Birmingham, has since been charged with the murder of a woman on or before May 12, 2020.

Mahesh Sorathiya, 38, and of Denmore Gardens, Wolverhampton has been charged with assisting an offender on or before May 12, 2020.

The pair have been refused bail and are due to appear before magistrates in Cheltenham via video link today, Saturday, May 16.

Police are awaiting results of DNA tests to establish the identity of the victim.

As part of the murder investigation, police closed the A4136 from Monmouth, in Wales, to Staunton, in the Forest of Dean.

This stretch of road reopened on Friday afternoon.

Investigating officers believe there is one victim, a woman.

A post-mortem examination was inconclusive and further examinations are ongoing to establish the cause of death, including DNA testing.

Key Events

Murder charge after discovery of human remains

This statement from police:

A woman has been charged with murder in connection with the discovery of human remains in the Forest of Dean on the evening of Tuesday 12 May.

Gareeca Conita Gordon, 27 and of Salisbury Road, Birmingham has been charged with the murder of a woman on or before 12 May 2020.

Mahesh Sorathiya, 38 and of Denmore Gardens, Wolverhampton has been charged with assisting an offender on or before 12 May 2020.

The pair have been refused bail and are due to appear before magistrates in Cheltenham via video link tomorrow (Saturday 16 May).

Police are awaiting results of DNA tests to establish the identity of the victim.

  • Share

A4136 reopens

Latest from Inrix: A4136 both ways re-opened, police incident over between B4228 Staunton Road (Coleford) and A466 (Monmouth).

  • Share

Post-mortem 'inconclusive' with DNA testing ongoing to identify victim

The latest statement from Gloucestershire police says searches have taken place around Stowfield Quarry, near Coleford, as well as premises in Birmingham and Wolverhampton

Two people remain in custody today, Friday 15 May, in connection with the discovery of human remains in the Forest of Dean earlier this week.

A post-mortem examination yesterday was found to be inconclusive and further examinations are ongoing to establish the cause of death.

DNA testing is also ongoing to identify the female victim.

Searches have continued today around the area of Stowfield Quarry, near Coleford and some road closures remain in place in the surrounding area.

Police would like to thank local residents and those impacted by the closures for their patience throughout the investigation.

Searches have taken place at premises in both Birmingham and Wolverhampton following the arrests of a woman aged in her 20s and a man aged in his 30s.

  • Share

Latest from Gloucestershire police

Two people remain in custody today, Friday 15 May, in connection with the discovery of human remains in the Forest of Dean earlier this week.

A post-mortem examination yesterday was found to be inconclusive and further examinations are ongoing to establish the cause of death.

DNA testing is also ongoing to identify the female victim.

Searches have continued today around the area of Stowfield Quarry, near Coleford and some road closures remain in place in the surrounding area.

Police would like to thank local residents and those impacted by the closures for their patience throughout the investigation.

Searches have taken place at premises in both Birmingham and Wolverhampton following the arrests of a woman aged in her 20s and a man aged in his 30s.







  • Share

Search of woodland

  • Share

Road remains closed

The A4136 is closed in both directions due to police incident between B4228 Staunton Road (Colesford) and A466 (Monmouth), traffic and travel service Inrix is reporting.

The road remains closed through the Forest of Dean following an incident reported earlier in the week, near the Welsh border.

  • Share

More time to question two people arrested on suspicion of murder

This was the statement sent out at 1.20pm on Thursday

Officers have been granted a 36-hour magistrates’ extension to continue questioning two people who were arrested on suspicion of murder.

Overnight a 12-hour custody extension had been granted for both the woman aged in her 20s and from Birmingham and the man aged in his 30s and from Wolverhampton.

The further 36-hour extension was granted at around midday today and means they can remain in custody for further questioning.

Forensic testing is ongoing to establish the identity of the victim after human remains were found by police shortly after 11.30pm on Tuesday 12 May.

A post-mortem examination is also taking place.

Due to the ongoing investigation road closures and scene guards are likely to remain in place for at least the rest of today.

Gloucestershire Constabulary would like to thank local residents and those impacted by the cordons for their patience during this time.

  • Share

'Two suitcases were found to contain human remains'

This is the latest police statement, sent out yesterday at 6pm

Shortly after 10.30pm on Tuesday 12 May a member of the public reported suspicions to police about a vehicle due to its manner of driving.

It had been travelling on the A4136 near Coleford and officers in the local area were advised.

The vehicle was located by police a short while later and two people were spoken to.

Two suitcases were found to contain human remains and two people were subsequently arrested. They remain in police custody. A vehicle was also seized.

Investigating officers believe there is one victim, a woman, and forensic examinations are ongoing to confirm her identity.

Senior Investigating Officer DCI John Turner said: “The nature of this incident is distressing and we’re working around the clock to fully understand what has happened.

“Someone’s life has been lost and our priority is to identify the victim and get answers for her family.

“Searches have taken place in the surrounding area for evidence gathering and contrary to media reports no remains have been found as part of these searches.

“Our Major Crime Investigation Team is working in collaboration with the West Midlands Police homicide team to carry out further enquiries.”

  • Share