Human leg found floating in London lake

An body part believed to be a human leg has been found floating in a lake in east London.

The flesh was found in a lake in Dagenham, last night, Scotland Yard said.

The discovery was made by a member of the public. Source: PA

It is thought the find could be linked to the disappearance of 39-year-old Neill Buchel, from Dagenham, but police said it was too early to confirm.

The leg will now be subject to forensic analysis, and detectives have appealed for information from anglers or fishermen who may have seen anything.

Scotland Yard said police were called to White Hart Lakes, off Chase Road, shortly after 6pm last night after a member of the public reported an item seen floating in the water.

The item, thought to be part of a human leg, was recovered from the lake, and is being analysed by experts.

A spokesman said detectives investigating the disappearance of 39-year-old Mr Buchel, from Dagenham, had informed his family of the development, but it was too early to confirm if it was linked
to his investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Jones, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "I would like to ask anybody who has used the lakes over recent weeks whether they have noticed any unusual or
suspicious activity.

"Have you seen anybody putting something into the water? Have you noticed anybody who you have not seen there before? Any information, no matter how trivial you may think it to be, could be crucial to establishing what happened and I would urge you to speak with my team."

Mr Buchel went missing from Braintree Road, Dagenham, on March 13 and was reported missing to police on March 18. He is believed to have come to "significant harm", police said.

The 39-year-old is believed to have been involved in an altercation with a group of men when he was with a friend in Heath Park, Dagenham, at about 3pm on the day he disappeared.

Police were called and a 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of public order offences and issued with a penalty notice for disorder.

Mr Buchel is thought to have returned with others to an address in Stansgate Road which he frequented, but since then has made no contact with his friends or family - including his estranged partner and two daughters - which is totally out of character.

Police said his estranged partner reported him missing at 8.30pm on March 18.

Det Ch Insp Jones added: "We are appealing for anyone who saw that earlier altercation or anyone who has information about may have happened to Mr Buchel to please come forward and assist with our enquiries.

"We have not found Mr Buchel but we believe he has come to significant harm. It is highly unlikely he would not have contacted his friends and family as he regularly did if he was still OK."

Three men, two aged 35 and one aged 41, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed to a date in late April.


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