A WARRINGTON couple have been arrested as part of the investigation by Essex Police into 39 bodies of Chinese migrants being discovered in a lorry trailer in Grays.
The man and woman, both aged 38 have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic people and on suspicion of 39 counts of manslaughter.
The arrests followed police arriving at the Woolston home of Joanna and Thomas Maher to interview the last known owner of the truck that pulled the container with 39 bodies inside.
According to reports the couple claimed on Thursday they had sold the Scania lorry cab, which is registered in Bulgaria, to a company in Ireland, last year.
Police also arrived at the registered office of the company owned by the couple, local accountants Watkinson Black on Manchester Road, who had to close their premises and send staff home for the day.
Meanwhile A 25-year-old man, the driver of the lorry, remains in custody on suspicion of murder. A warrant of further detention was granted yesterday, Thursday 24 October, by local magistrates.
Last night, Thursday 24 October, police began the movement of the victims from the Port of Tilbury to the chosen mortuary site at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.
This is all being done in close liaison with HM Coroner as police continue to work to ensure that the dignity of victims and respect for their loved ones are at the forefront of our investigation.
The first post-mortem examinations will begin today, Friday 25 October.
Formal identification will then follow the coronial process and will be a lengthy but crucial part of this investigation.
Police at the offices of Watkinson Black
