Welcome progress in mortuary mix-up case as Hull police return from Australia
POLICE officers investigating a body mix-up at a Hull mortuary have returned from interviewing key witnesses in Australia.
Christopher Alder's body was discovered in the Hull Royal Infirmary mortuary in November 2011, 11 years after his family believed they had laid him to rest following his death in police custody in 1998.
An exhumation of his grave in Hull's Northern Cemetery last year confirmed Grace Kamara, 77, had been buried in his place.
A criminal investigation was launched shortly after, which is ongoing.
You ever dreamed of owning your own baby grand piano ? We can make it affordable with low-rate finance to suit you and its on offer as well save £850 with this voucher ! £6499
01482 326525
Contact: 01482 420006
Valid until: Saturday, August 31 2013
The police investigation is determining whether there has been an offence of misconduct in public office committed.
Two officers flew out to Australia on December 10 after South Yorkshire Police – the force appointed to carry out the investigation – successfully concluded months of negotiations with Australian federal police and the Australian High Commission.
They have now returned having interviewed one Australian resident, while a second witness flew from New Zealand to be questioned.
Christopher's sister Janet Alder has welcomed the progress.
She said: "I have been told the officers have returned from Australia having interviewed someone living there while a second person flew from New Zealand as well.
"I hope this means the investigation is coming to an end, as I don't see what else they can do."
Detective Superintendent Richard Fewkes, who is leading the inquiry, was not available for comment.
The body mix-up only came to light on the day Mrs Kamara was due to be buried.
Her burial had been delayed for 12 years due to problems getting family over on a visa to take her back to her native Nigeria.
The funeral plans turned to farce when her relatives insisted on seeing the body – an important tradition in Nigerian heritage – and Hull City Council admitted the mistake had been made.
An exhumation took place at Northern Cemetery in February and DNA tests confirmed Mrs Kamara had been lying in the grave of Mr Alder.
Permission was granted for Mrs Kamara to be reburied in the grave where she has lain for the past 12 years.
It is thought the Australian interviews were one of the few outstanding lines of inquiry in the case and may allow the investigation to be concluded early this year.
In November, Miss Alder launched the first stage of legal proceedings that could see her sue two of the organisations involved.
Pending the outcome of the criminal inquiry, the human rights campaign group Liberty lodged a protective claim with Central London County Court on Miss Alder's behalf.
The claim allows her to pursue possible civil proceedings against Hull Council, which ran the city mortuary when the wrong body was released in November 2000, and Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which took charge before the attempts to bury Mrs Kamara last year.
Comments
by airlieman1263
Monday, January 07 2013, 1:18PM
“If think if you look further back ,the Alder family were given a payement of thousands of pounds after the origional trial of the police officers fell through and they were acquited ,the money being put in trust for the children of Christopher.What Janet Alder wants to get out of this is anyones guess,it was a tragic mistake that should not have happened,the bodies should have not been mixed up,but mistakes do happen .does she want compo out of the Morticians, when will it ever end ?”
by meolemuker
Monday, January 07 2013, 8:03AM
“keep the faith
"keep the huge support up for janet we all wish her the best and for the truth to come out lets all hope she is well paid for her suffering over the past 15 yrs, she deserves a million pounds at least 6 times over.
the rest of yer well keep the red arrows going to show your jealousy hahahah. hurrrts dunt it. hahahh. all hull supports janet alder.
allways and allways,"”
by Kustard2011
Monday, January 07 2013, 6:59AM
“meolemuker..........
I fear for your sanity. Your lack of originality is somewhat worrying and your grasp on reality is slipping. Medical attention could be a good option for both you and Janet.
It must be difficult for you to be the only one in step !!!!”
by meolemuker
Sunday, January 06 2013, 11:00PM
“"keep the huge support up for janet we all wish her the best and for the truth to come out lets all hope she is well paid for her suffering over the past 15 yrs, she deserves a million pounds at least 6 times over.
the rest of yer well keep the red arrows going to show your jealousy hahahah. hurrrts dunt it. hahahh. all hull supports janet alder.
allways and allways,""”
by dannydarko222
Sunday, January 06 2013, 5:23PM
“meolemuker,
If you going troll at least make more effort than Ctrl+P”
by meolemuker
Sunday, January 06 2013, 4:34PM
“keep the huge support up for janet we all wish her the best and for the truth to come out lets all hope she is well paid for her suffering over the past 15 yrs, she deserves a million pounds at least 6 times over.
the rest of yer well keep the red arrows going to show your jealousy hahahah. hurrrts dunt it. hahahh. all hull supports janet alder.
allways and allways,"”
by Kustard2011
Saturday, January 05 2013, 5:50PM
“by meolemuker.......
Just in case you missed the point you idiot.... Not many normal people Hull support this money grabbing sister of the violent drunkard Christopher. You must have been living in another universe if you have missed the comments here.
Off you pop back under the stone.”
by AstynomiaKats
Saturday, January 05 2013, 3:29PM
“This is South yorkshire police we are talking about - the force which is quietly merging with HumberXXXX police. Where our present Chief Constable lives, who are under invetsigation for lying over the Hillsborough inquiry, who will be investigated over the miners strike violence this year. Nice to know the investigation its in safe hands then!”
by meolemuker
Friday, January 04 2013, 11:36PM
“keep the huge support up for janet we all wish her the best and for the truth to come out lets all hope she is well paid for her suffering over the past 15 yrs, she deserves a million pounds at least 6 times over.
the rest of yer well keep the red arrows going to show your jealousy hahahah. hurrrts dunt it. hahahh. all hull supports janet alder.
allways and allways,”
by dascodave
Friday, January 04 2013, 10:43AM
“Four days have past since this report went to press and no news about janet?...surely she must have popped out for a pint of milk or something?....surely!!!”