UK - 39 bodies found in lorry, Essex, 23 October 2019

[jamjim]

Police continue to quiz man over 39 trailer deaths

 

[jamjim]

"At the scene
By Ed Thomas, special correspondent, BBC News, Grays

Police officers bowed their heads in silence as the lorry was slowly moved from the industrial estate with all 39 people still inside the container.

I've seen senior detectives visibly upset at what they've witnessed here.

Detectives said their priority now was providing all the victims with dignity and respect as they try to identify them and inform their loved ones."

Work starts to identify 39 bodies found in trailer

 

[Mrs Marple]

I'm finding it odd that he stopped so soon after pickup on a quiet road l'm afraid.

 

[jamjim]

I really want to know whether it was definitely a sealed load or not. If it was, I can't see any legit reason for him to open it so soon after collecting if he thought it was a genuine load full of chilled food/dairy items.

 

[Mrs Marple]

Evil trafficking gangs 'have used same route used by Essex lorry for years'

'"We had a lorry pull up opposite where our unit is. The driver got out, opened up the back and about 20 people got out and ran off up the road.

"The thing is it’s such a quiet area and of an evening it’s very dark. I believe the police are looking at our CCTV going forward.'

Comments on instagram, one in particular could be of importance.

 

[Mrs Marple]

Police probe suspected Irish people-smuggling ring after 39 migrants are found frozen to death

'The freight unit where the bodies were found was rented from a firm called GTR Trailer Rental Solutions and parked between three warehouses, one for a refrigeration firm called Chill Box; the other for GFS Car Parts and the third Southern Drains.'

 

[jamjim]

Police probe suspected Irish people-smuggling ring after 39 migrants are found frozen to death

'The freight unit where the bodies were found was rented from a firm called GTR Trailer Rental Solutions and parked between three warehouses, one for a refrigeration firm called Chill Box; the other for GFS Car Parts and the third Southern Drains.'

I wonder if Chill Box is the company that is said to have closed down over a month ago? I can't find any information for it anywhere online, and on google maps there's no sign of it.

View attachment 210807

 

[HayLouise]

Some updates from last night I missed:

21:01

Police remain at the scene

Police officers have been at the scene since the grim discovery was made.

They are still there and it is unknown how long they will stay for.

Earlier today Detective chief constable Pippa Mills issued a brief statement, she said: We have been progressing our investigations at the scene hear today in Grays throughout the day.

“In order we ensure to maintain the dignity of the people who sadly lost their lives, we will be moving the lorry and the trailer shortly.

“Once that movement has happened we will remain here to complete some scenic examinations before we can allow all the business operators back to their premises.”

The lorry containing the bodies was moved at around 5pm to a secure location at Tilbury Docks.


22:23

Arrested man's pal claims he is "100% innocent"

A friend of the man arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery of a shipping container in Grays with 39 bodies inside says he is “100% innocent”.

Read the full story HERE.

Live updates as NI man arrested after 39 bodies found in lorry

 

[HayLouise]

24 October 2019:

Essex container deaths: Police try to identify 39 bodies as Co Armagh man Mo Robinson quizzed

[...]

It was reported last night that Mr Robinson may have alerted the authorities himself.

[...]

Sources close to the investigation told The Telegraph that it is "very unlikely" that he knew about the plans to traffic people.

Suggestions that the victims had been trafficked through Ireland have been dismissed.

A spokesperson for Belfast Harbour said it "has not been asked to investigate".

Essex container deaths: Police try to identify 39 bodies as Co Armagh man Mo Robinson quizzed - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

 

[HayLouise]

24 October 2019:

Essex lorry deaths: Suspect Mo Robinson's parents fly from Northern Ireland to support son

The parents of Mo Robinson have flown to England to support their son following his arrest.

It is also understood that the 25-year-old is about to become a father.

Outside the Laurelvale home of Mr Robinson's mother and father last night, anxious neighbours chatted amongst themselves on their doorsteps as media crews descended on this quiet, residential area of the village.

Several attempts were made to speak to Robinson's father, Mark, but the family home lay in darkness.

Neighbours said they had already flown out to England.

Essex lorry deaths: Suspect Mo Robinson's parents fly from Northern Ireland to support son - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

 

[HayLouise]

More:

Local unionist councillor Paul Berry explained that he had spoken to Robinson's father "a couple of times" yesterday and said the family were well respected in the Laurelvale area.

"When I was talking to him nothing had been confirmed to him that it was Mo," continued Mr Berry, who knows the family personally. "The police or nobody of that nature had informed him.

The councillor added that he suspects the Robinson family flew to England to understand what was going on but he stressed that Mo Robinson was "innocent until proven guilty".

"That's very important to stress and let the Essex police do their work," he told The Belfast Telegraph.

"The family also needs space at this time because no one ever would have thought this would have come at somebody's door."

Essex lorry deaths: Suspect Mo Robinson's parents fly from Northern Ireland to support son - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

 

[HayLouise]

Sophie Walsh
@sophie_walsh9

Flowers at the industrial site in Essex where the bodies of 39 people were found frozen to death inside a refrigerated truck yesterday. Police still speaking with driver Mo Robinson, he’s yet to be charged. Police also probing an Irish people smuggling ring
@9NewsAUS

Sophie Walsh on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Nicola Oakley
@nicolajoakley

Blows my mind how quickly false information spreads on social media. I’ve seen so many tweets attacking trusted news outlets for ‘failure’ to report that Mo Robinson was “released without charge” - because one person who claims they know him said that on Facebook last night.

Nicola Oakley on Twitter

Nicola Oakley
@nicolajoakley

Police have not said that the lorry driver they arrested has been released. The BBC reported three hours ago that he is still being questioned in police custody. The woman has also since deleted her claim he was released from her Facebook post - but not before it went viral.

Nicola Oakley on Twitter

Nicola Oakley
@nicolajoakley

Yet people are telling journalists to check their facts. They are doing that. That’s their job. If police confirm the driver is released, that will be reported accurately too.

Nicola Oakley on Twitter

Nicola Oakley
@nicolajoakley

It’s frightening how people are so quick to believe something they read on social media, with no official confirmation, over reports from police and trusted broadcasters. Chilling echoes of Trump’s “fake news” accusations in some tweets also.

Nicola Oakley on Twitter

Nicola Oakley
@nicolajoakley

In the meantime, here’s the latest update on this tragic story:

Yahoo is now part of Verizon Media

Nicola Oakley on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

The Times
@thetimes

Mo Robinson, 25, faces one of the largest criminal investigations in British history after 39 frozen corpses were found in a container hitched to the back of a cab.

Mo Robinson: Driver of ‘the Polar Express’ at centre of murder inquiry

The Times on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Mark Simpson
@BBCMarkSimpson

Lorry-driver Mo Robinson, from the Portadown area, is still being questioned by Essex Police. He’s been held for 30 hours so far.

Mark Simpson on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

HuffPost UK
@HuffPostUK

Essex lorry deaths: Driver Mo Robinson questioned on suspicion of murder amid dawn raids

HuffPost is now part of Verizon Media

HuffPost UK on Twitter

 

[jamjim]

Essex lorry deaths: More details on journey of container where 39 found dead

"Witness Andy Larkin told Sky News and police that he saw the lorry parked at the estate on Tuesday afternoon, about 10 hours before making its pick-up at the docks - possibly waiting for the ferry to dock and swap containers.

He said: "What drew me to it was the unit itself. The cab looked very expensive, big chrome exhausts, and the paintwork on it. It was unusual from being a company lorry. It was more of a private cab.

"I thought someone was asleep inside because the curtains on the cab were pulled around. Like the drivers do when they are sleeping in their cabs. I thought he was inside.""

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Blows my mind how quickly false information spreads on social media

I saw this play out too. One person stated
Mo had been released without charge and they all just ran with it. If anyone questioned it they just replied that it was further up thread. Oh ok. Doh, My inner sleuth was screaming “link please”!!

 

[HayLouise]

24 October 2019:

Essex murder probe: Police search two Co Armagh homes

The PSNI has searched two homes in Co Armagh overnight after 39 bodies were found in a lorry container in Essex.

Essex murder probe: Police search two Co Armagh homes

 

[HayLouise]

23 October 2019

Essex lorry victims thought to have 'died in icy tomb'

Experts fear that the 39 migrants found in the back of a refrigerated lorry could have suffered horrific deaths trapped in an icy tomb with no escape.

[...]

It is not known whether the 39 victims in Essex, whose nationalities have not been confirmed, suffocated or froze to death, reports the Mirror .

Essex lorry victims thought to have 'died in icy tomb'