COPS have launched two murder probes after a search for a missing man ended with the force making another horror find.
Detectives arrested a man and woman on suspicion of murder while investigating a disappearance in Sticker, near St Austell in Cornwall.
Devon and Cornwall Police have launched two separate murder probes[/caption]
Initial enquiries on Monday led to the arrest of a 39-year-old man on suspicion of fraud, said Devon and Cornwall Police.
However, further information revealed during a search led to his re-arrest for murder.
A woman in her 30s, from the Newquay area, was also arrested on suspicion of murder, with both suspects remaining in police custody.
But at around 6pm on Tuesday, officers were called to a wooded area between Truro and Probus where the body of a deceased man in his 40s was found.
Formal identification has now been completed and it has been confirmed that the body is not that of the man who is the subject of the initial missing person investigation.
However, police say his death is currently being treated as suspicious, and will form part of a separate murder investigation.
Detective Superintendent Jon Bancroft said: “While our enquiries are at an early stage, we believe these are separate investigations which are not linked.
“Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team will be considering all possible lines of enquiry and members of the public should be reassured every available resource is being utilised to do so.
“There will be an increased police presence in the area and, if people in our communities have concerns, please share them with us.”
Detective Inspector Neil Blanchard, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, added: “We appreciate how the unique circumstances surrounding these investigations may be causing the public concern.
“The discovery of a body, the day after a male suspect was arrested, has proven to be unrelated to the initial missing person investigation.
“The circumstances around the death of the man whose body was found will now be investigated separately.
“There is nothing to indicate any risk to the public and we are asking the people not to speculate online as the investigation continues.”
