Baby skeleton found in Bishop Auckland 'over 100 years old'

Officers were called to Fore Bondgate on Monday, July 29, after contractors discovered human remains beneath the floor of an upstairs room. 

Forensic analysts were called in to determine the age of the baby - and it was later confirmed that it had been undisturbed for several years.

Detectives now believe that the body has lain undisturbed since the early 20th Century. 

CSI teams in Bishop Auckland following the discovery of a skeleton (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

The baby was found wrapped in newspaper which has deteriorated over the years, but investigators were able to identify a fragment which dated to 1910.

Forensic examination has not been able to confirm the gender of the baby but confirmed it was full term at 40 weeks. 

CSI teams in Bishop Auckland following the discovery of a skeleton (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Officers have also identified twine wrapped around the baby’s neck, indicating that the cause of the death is likely to have been suspicious.

Further forensic tests are taking place over the coming weeks, including carbon dating, to confirm the initial findings.

The Bishop Auckland community was left in shock following the discovery, with white-suited investigators pictured probing the property last month. 

Detectives tracing historical records from the early 1900s

Detectives from Durham Constabulary are now attempting to trace historic records for the property between 1900 and 1920 as part of efforts to identify who lived there at that time.

The property dates to the Victorian period and - at one stage - housed a church-run mother-and-baby unit, although it is believed that the baby was concealed before that time.

Detective Chief Inspector Mel Sutherland, from Durham Constabulary, said: “The evidence suggests this 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.”

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.

If you have any information about 67 Fore Bondgate, please phone 101 and quote incident number DHM-29072024-0127.