It’s the stuff of classic ghost stories and nightmarish movies—Police in Durham in the UK have discovered the skeleton of a baby they believe was murdered more than a century ago hidden under the floorboards of a house in Durham.
It is not yet certain how long ago the baby was murdered, but a piece of newspaper in which the baby was wrapped has been dated to 1910. Forensic analysis has shown the baby was fully grown “at term,” or 40 weeks, but the infant’s gender is not known.
The poor child was found with twine wrapped around its neck, which obviously leads to suspicions of strangulation. Over the next few weeks investigators will be performing more tests, including carbon dating in hopes of more accurately determining the infant’s date of death.
It will take more than forensic lab work to solve the macabre mystery. Local police are now combing through historical paperwork associated with the house in which the baby was found, focusing on a period between 1900 and 1920. If they can figure out who lived in the home, they will be one step closer to identifying the baby or its family.
The house was built in the Victorian era and at one time functioned as a home for unwed mothers and babies that was run by the church. However, investigators say they think the baby was hidden before that period of the building’s use.
Mel Sutherland, Detective Chief for the Durham Constabulary, said he feels a duty to the dead infant. While it is clear the death and secreting of the body happened at least 100 years ago, it is still important to identify the victim and figure out what happened to the child, and how its body ended up beneath the floor.
Once the investigation is complete, Sutherland said, he is set on giving the bay a “dignified funeral.”
Those who may have information about the baby, its family, the house’s occupants (it is 67 Fore Bondgate) are asked to call 101 and use incident number DHM-29072024-0127.
