Investigation launched into alleged abuse at Hull funeral home after disturbing claims

The Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull is under investigation following the discovery of bodies and suspected human ashes at its site on Hessle Road. This investigation comes in the wake of necrophiliac killer David Fuller’s mortuary abuse, prompting an inquiry into how deceased individuals are cared for in various settings including private mortuaries, private ambulances, and the funeral sector. Humberside Police have been working tirelessly since concerns were raised on March 8 regarding the storage and management processes of care at the funeral directors.

The independent inquiry, chaired by Sir Jonathan Michael, has been examining how deceased individuals are looked after in hospitals and non-hospital settings in England to ensure their dignity and security. Following the disturbing allegations against Legacy Independent Funeral Directors and another incident involving sexual offences in a hospital mortuary in Grimsby, Sir Jonathan expressed his concern and offered his thoughts to those affected by these events. While the inquiry is unable to investigate specific incidents at this time, it is closely monitoring police investigations and judicial proceedings related to these cases.

The inquiry was launched by the Government in 2021 after it was revealed that David Fuller had sexually abused the bodies of over 100 women and girls aged nine to 100 while employed at Kent and Sussex Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital between 2005 and 2020. The first phase of the inquiry focused on his employer, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, and uncovered serious failings within the hospitals that allowed Fuller to offend without being caught. The second phase of the inquiry, launched in July last year, is now examining practices and procedures in various settings where deceased individuals are kept to ensure their dignity and security are upheld.

As part of the David Fuller inquiry, recordings of meetings with funeral directors have been published to help the public understand the work they do. Sir Jonathan Michael emphasized the importance of safeguarding the dignity and security of deceased individuals in all settings, whether hospital or non-hospital. While the inquiry cannot investigate specific incidents at this time, it will continue to follow developments closely and ensure that practices and procedures in place are sufficient to prevent similar abuses from occurring in the future.

Overall, the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors investigation and other incidents involving sexual offences in mortuaries have prompted a thorough review of how deceased individuals are cared for in various settings. The inquiry chaired by Sir Jonathan Michael is focused on ensuring that practices and procedures are in place to safeguard the dignity and security of the deceased. While specific incidents are being handled by the police and judiciary, the inquiry will continue to monitor developments closely and work to prevent future abuses from occurring.