Dale Mundell, 34, from Islington, has been named as the victim whose decomposing body was discovered inside a suitcase at a children's teddy bear hunt in Rochester, Kent. Joshua Miller, 32, and Jamie Cooper, 27, both from Wandsworth, London, have been charged with preventing a lawful burial, with Miller also facing a murder charge, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Discovery at the Teddy Bear Hunt
The body was found on Friday, July 10, at Borstal Recreation Grounds in Rochester, approximately 60 miles east of Wandsworth. A children's teddy bear scavenger hunt for a local nursery fundraising event was taking place at the same location. A resident who attended the event told Kent Online: "I saw the luggage before the police. I was with my niece and nephew, so I was busy keeping them from seeing it. What I saw was the suitcase covered in hundreds of flies. I actually heard the buzzing from them first. I noticed that it was a large suitcase."
Police Investigation
Police were alerted to a possible murder at a property in Wandsworth late on Thursday, July 9. No body was found at the residence, but officers suspected someone had "come to harm," prompting an investigation. The next day, a search led to the discovery of the suitcase in Kent. Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, leading the investigation, said: "Our thoughts remain with the victim's family who are understandably distraught at their loss. We will continue to offer them every support. This has been a fast-moving investigation and we are working tirelessly to establish the exact circumstances of the incident."
Charges and Court Appearance
Joshua Miller and Jamie Cooper appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday and have been remanded into custody. They are thought to have known the victim. Dale Mundell's death is being treated as suspicious, and his family are being supported by specialist officers.
