British police have confirmed human remains were found Sunday on a 20,000-acre country estate belonging to Queen Elizabeth. According to reports, a “member of the public” found the body of a woman in a wooded area about 3 miles from Sandringham House, a private residence where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrated Christmas with family.
According to Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry, the remains have been on the estate “for some time." Authorities have yet to identify the woman. "The circumstances suggest this is a murder case, and we are looking at missing persons reports and cold cases, both locally and nationwide,” Fry said at a press conference Tuesday.
“It is the body of a female but I cannot comment on her age,” Fry added. “I cannot confirm whether she was clothed because, at the moment, only my staff, the person who found the body and the person or people who put it there know that and I would like it to stay that way.”
Police released a statement saying the area where the body was found has been “sealed off and a detailed search is currently being carried out.” An autopsy is scheduled for later Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told CNN the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are currently in residence at Sandringham. They are scheduled to leave at the end of January. Queen Elizabeth has not commented on the discovery of the body.
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