A baby discovered under floorboards by contractors renovating a flat above a pizza shop died more than 100 years ago in suspicious circumstances.
The skeleton of the newborn was found at a house in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, last week wrapped in newspaper and with twine around its neck.
Investigators have now identified a fragment of the paper dating back to 1910, and forensics experts established the baby was full term at 40 weeks.
Police said further forensic tests will take place over the coming weeks including carbon dating to confirm the initial findings. The baby’s gender is unknown.
Detectives from Durham Constabulary are also now trying to find out who lived in the property on Fore Bondgate at the time of the baby’s death.
Police community support officers outside the building in Bishop Auckland on July 31
Police forensic investigators enter the disused building in Bishop Auckland on July 31
Scaffolding outside the disused building on Fore Bondgate in Bishop Auckland on July 31
Police forensic investigators enter the disused building in Bishop Auckland on July 31
The building dates to Victorian period and at one stage housed a church-run mother and baby unit, but it is believed that the baby was concealed before that time.
Police are now gathering historical information about the house’s ownership from 1900 to 1920, including securing records and tracing family trees to potentially identify any living relatives.
The grim discovery was made by contractors renovating a pair of flats at about 11.15am on July 28, and the remains were then taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
The restaurant below the flat, Castle Pizza, opened for the first time last Monday but was forced to close due to the gruesome discovery.
The owner, who didn’t want to be named, said the incident was a ‘shock’ and a ‘horrible thing to have happened’.
Police continue investigating on July 31 after a skeleton of a baby was found at the property
A police car parked outside the building in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on July 31
Police forensic investigators enter the disused building in Bishop Auckland on July 31
Police continue investigating on July 31 after a skeleton of a baby was found at the property
Local councillor Sam Zair, who owns a cafe on the street, said: ‘This is a shock for the whole community. It’s difficult.
‘I have lived in Bishop Auckland all my life, and my father before me, and grandfather.
‘The property has been privately owned and rented over the years like a lot of the properties here.
‘I feel sorry for the poor workmen who made the discovery. They are bringing an empty flat back into use. It must have been horrendous for them.’
The street is mainly comprised of businesses, many of them empty, with only a few residential properties.
Police forensic investigators enter the disused building in Bishop Auckland on July 31
Police continue investigating on July 31 after a skeleton of a baby was found at the property
Police forensic investigators enter the disused building in Bishop Auckland on July 31
Detective Chief Inspector Mel Sutherland said: ‘The evidence suggests this has happened a very long time ago, which makes investigating the circumstances extremely difficult, but we still have a duty to that baby.
‘My focus is on finding out who the baby is, what happened and how it came to be under the floorboards of that house.
‘As soon as we are able to, I am determined that this little baby is given an appropriate and dignified funeral.’
Durham Constabulary has asked for anyone with information about 67 Fore Bondgate to phone 101 and quote incident number DHM-29072024-0127
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