Upminster: Lee Balkwell's Body Exhumed

The body of a man found dead in a cement mixer in Essex a decade ago has been exhumed as part of a new investigation into his death.

Lorry driver Lee Balkwell, 33, was found dead at a farm in Upminster on July 18, 2002.

His head and shoulders were lodged in a cement mixer.

At the time, Essex Police said after an investigation that the death was accidental, but last year the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which intervened after a series of complaints by Mr Balkwell's father Les, found the inquiry was "seriously flawed''.

As well as the IPCC probe, West Midlands Police were asked to investigate how Mr Balkwell died, making more than 90 recommendations for further action.

Three men and two women were arrested in connection with the death in November as part of a new inquiry by the Essex and Kent serious crime directorate. They remain on police bail.

Mr Balkwell's body was last night (Monday March 25th) exhumed at Upminster Cemetery, where it was buried in September 2002.

Cemetery personnel were in place to carry out initial excavation work of his grave, followed by specialist police officers trained in the forensic recovery of bodies.

Mr Balkwell's body has been taken to an unnamed hospital by private ambulance, where a full forensic post-mortem examination will be carried out by a Home Office pathologist. 

Afterwards, it will be returned for a private burial - hoped to be as soon as this morning - attended only by Mr Balkwell's family and next of kin.

Senior investigation officer Detective Inspector Janine Farrell said: "This investigation is committed to searching for the truth about what happened to Lee Balkwell in July 2002 and we have not made the decision to conduct this exhumation lightly.

"This event has obviously caused Lee Balkwell's next of kin and family further considerable distress and this whole process is being managed to minimise any further anguish as much as possible.

Our aim is to carry out the process of exhumation, post mortem and reinterment as swiftly as possible to minimise distress to Lee's next of kin and family.

"A specialist team has carried out the exhumation so that it took place with expert care and respect. They were supported by highly experienced Crime Scene Investigators, with able assistance from the cemetery staff.

"It is important to remember that five people have been arrested in connection with this investigation and all of them currently remain on bail.

"But we remain open to all hypotheses regarding Lee's death and if anyone has any information regarding the death of Lee Balkwell, no matter how trivial they consider it, even after all this time, they should contact my team on 01634 884033.

"This is a confidential line, where people can leave a message for my officers who will get back to them.''

She said the five people arrested in November remain on police bail, and the case remains "very much an active criminal inquiry'' and police "remain open to all hypotheses regarding Lee's death''.