Wandsworth murder probe: Two arrested after burnt corpse found in south London garden

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the burnt remains of a body were found in a garden in south London.

Police were called to reports of a fire at a home on Wimbledon Park Road in Wandsworth just before 6.30pm on Wednesday evening.

Upon arriving, officers and firefighters discovered the charred corpse in the garden of the property.

It was too badly burnt to determine the age or gender of the person killed but murder detectives believe someone started the fire in an attempt to dispose of the body.

A 40-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were arrested at the scene and have been taken to south London police stations.

Shocked neighbours told how they saw smoke rising above houses before the body was found.

Residents said they could see the smoke from a back garden fire before police descended on the home on Wednesday evening.

One resident who lives opposite the two-storey house told the Standard: "My husband saw the smoke yesterday but we didn't think anything of it.

"Now we've found out we are in shock.

"A lady was living there with her husband and two children.

"They are a very ordinary, quiet family, the man sometimes used to go for runs."

She added: "We are in shock because this area is so safe and nothing happens here."

The two children, thought to be aged under 10, have been taken into care, police confirmed.

Various neighbours, who asked not to be named, also reported seeing a plume of "thick smoke" rising from the small garden.

One man said: "I saw smoke coming out of the garden and I told my friend because the council does not allow bonfires around here.

"Later on, at two or three there were loads of police coming in and out."

Another added: "I saw the thick smoke in the air from my own home, but I don't know the family that lives there."

Superintendent Peter Gardner said: "I fully appreciate the concern that this investigation will cause in the local community.

“Specialist investigators will be carrying out work at the scene whilst local neighbourhood officers will be patrolling in and around the area to help reassure residents and, where possible, respond to their concerns."

Detective inspector Richard Leonard said the “badly burned body” was discovered “in the rear garden of this residential address”.

“We are doing everything we can to identify the deceased,” he said.

“A post-mortem examination will establish how they died. Early indications are that attempts were made to dispose of the body.

"I would like to appeal to those in and around the area to come forward with information. You may well have seen or heard something suspicious in the last few days which could assist our investigators."

Superintendent Peter Gardner added: "I fully appreciate the concern that this investigation will cause in the local community.

“Specialist investigators will be carrying out work at the scene whilst local neighbourhood officers will be patrolling in and around the area to help reassure residents and, where possible, respond to their concerns."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0208 721 4843, via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on Twitter via @MetCC.