The funeral parlour at the centre of a police probe was also investigated for fraud under its previous owners.
Police are investigating Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull and have recovered 35 bodies and a ‘quantity of human ashes’ from the funeral parlour as part of the ongoing probe.
It has now been revealed that Heavenly Services, which the parlour was called under its previous owners, was also probed by police but over fraud claims, the Sun reports.
The investigation was launched in November 2021, a month after it collapsed, after customers complained.
Devastated customers told how they paid thousands of pounds to pay in advance for plots for their loved ones, only to discover that no plot had been reserved after they died.
Police are standing guard outside the Anlaby Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors after officers recovered 35 bodies and a ‘quantity of human ashes’
It has now been revealed that Heavenly Services (pictured), which the parlour was called under its previous owners, was also probed by police but over fraud claims, the Sun reports
Police outside the Hessle Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull
Heavenly Services’ owner, Simon Woolston, 51, was investigated for fraud but the case was dropped after he died.
The funeral parlour has since been taken over by Legacy, which is at the centre of the current investigation.
Police reportedly said that the two probes into the funeral parlours are not connected. has contacted Humberside Police for comment.
This comes after Humberside Police said it had 120 officers and staff working on the Legacy case and more than 1,000 calls had been received from concerned members of the public about the funeral directors.
A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman who were arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful burial and fraud, have been released on bail, the force added.
This prompted outrage online as people issued threats of torture and described the man and woman as ‘monsters’, according to the Mirror.
Others told them to ‘burn in hell’ as customers demanded to know what happened to the remains of their loved ones.
Families claim many of the services took place at the Hessle Road funeral parlour rather than the local crematorium.
They paid thousands of pounds for the coffins and cremation fees and were told the caskets would be taken to the crem later to be burned but said they did not get any proof this happened – and often not did not even get the ashes back.
Assistant Chief Constable Thom Mcloughlin told a press conference on Tuesday: ‘We have now recovered a total of 35 deceased who have now been respectfully transported to the mortuary in Hull and formal identification procedures are now taking place.
‘In addition, we have also recovered a quantity of what we suspect to be human ashes. We are in the process of carefully recovering all of those ashes and taking those to the mortuary.’
Deputy Chief Constable David Marshall told media: ‘We are continuing to support the families involved through this extremely difficult and distressing time. This has been a truly horrific incident.’
At least two officers were seen stood outside the branch on Anlaby Road
Police continue their investigations at the Hessle Road branch of Legacy Funeral Directors
Assistant Chief Constable Thom Mcloughlin (pictured) told a press conference yesterday: ‘In addition, we have also recovered a quantity of what we suspect to be human ashes’
A hearse and a limousine can be seen in the parking area of the Hassle Road branch while police officers are still carrying out investigations
The Beckside branch of the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors earlier yesterday. Police revealed that more than 1,000 people have called a hotline with concerns
The Beverley branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors which has now had its branding removed
He said families were ‘understandably distraught’ and acknowledged that they had many questions that needed to be answered.
Mr Marshall said it was an ‘extremely complex and sensitive investigation’ and pledged to put the ‘heartbroken families’ at the core of the inquiry.
He said: ‘Many will be shocked, horrified and re-traumatised through grief following the disclosure of the facts of this case this week.’
Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin told reporters that more than 120 police officers and staff were now working on the case and more than 1,000 calls had been received from concerned members of the public.
Asst Chief Con Mcloughlin added: ‘So far, we are pursuing extensive lines of inquiry, and have special search and forensic teams conducting thorough searches of various business premises that are linked to the suspects that were detained this weekend.
‘I can confirm that a man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful, decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position.
‘They have since been released on police bail with conditions whilst our investigation is continuing.
‘I recognise that this is a distressing time for all of those affected and I have no doubt it will have a significant impact across all our local communities and beyond.’
A large number of police have been seen at the site, including forensics officers dressed in white protective suits and the maritime protection unit.
Officers were yesterday also seen inspecting a hearse and a limousine parked in outside a branch on Hassle Road before removing various items from the vehicles.
Officers cordoned off three Legacy Independent Funeral Directors sites after the force received a report on Wednesday of concerns about the ‘storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased’.
Humberside Police yesterday held a press conference where further details were disclosed of the ‘truly horrific’ incident
A police vehicle can be seen outside the Hessle Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors on Tuesday
A police parked with a major incident unit outside a Legacy Independent Funeral Directors branch on Hessle road in Hull
Cordons were in place at three Legacy Independent Funeral Directors’ branches on Saturday
Legacy is run by Robert Bush, originally from Bridlington, Easts Yorkshire, and the son of a local head mistress there.
His daughter Saskya went into the family business after finishing university with a degree in engineering.
The Beverley branch, the smallest, is located on the corner of a residential street on the outskirts of the town.
Already, signposting relating to the business has been removed from the branch.
The main branch and head office of Legacy is at the near derelict end of Hessle Road, Hull, next to a derelict house sprayed with graffiti and facing a row of takeaways and boarded up buildings.
The building is located in a row of shops next to a brightly painted tanning salon.
The front room is laid out as a chapel with a cross on a desk serving as an altar and high backed kitchen chair under the desk.