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Chief Superintendent Steve
Corbishley tells reporters about the case

by Lynn Cox

Police held a press conference this
afternoon following the discovery of the body of a woman
in a suitcase in a dried-out pond on farmland in Cliffe
yesterday.

Speaking at the conference at the
beginning of the cordon in Buckland Road Ch Supt Steve
Corbishley said: "Kent Police is investigating a suspicious death
following the discovery of a body in a suitcase on farmland off
Buckland Road, in Cliffe, near Rochester, shortly before 1.30pm on
Thursday.

"I can confirm the discovery was
made by a female dog walker."

The scene was sealed-off so
forensic examinations and a detailed search of the area could take
place.

Other officers are investigating to
try and find out who the woman is.

No details of how she died or how
old she is have been released at this stage, however, a post mortem
examination was due to be carried out on Friday, to determine the
cause of death.

A large part of Buckland Road was
still sealed-off more than 24-hours after the initial discovery and
officers were still at the scene.

Mr Corbishley added: "Enquiries are
ongoing to establish the identity of the body, which is believed to
be an adult female.

"At this stage the cause of death
is unknown, A post mortem will take place today and the outcome of
that will determine which way the investigation goes.

"The suitcase was found in a dried-up pond - known locally as the
Old Pond and is about 100-200 yards from the road.

"Detailed examinations and searches
are currently being carried out and there are between 50 to 60
officers working on the case."

Bob Worley’s farm, Oakleigh, is not
far from the Old Pond where the body was discovered.

Bob, 64, said: "My partner was told
by police that some remains were found in a suitcase in the pond,
which is dried out now.

"I guess it could have been there
for several weeks as the water level has fallen quite a bit in that
time, it must have been dumped there."

Another passer-by who didn’t want
to be named, said: "We were going for a walk down Buckland Road but
it was sealed off and there was a police van parked at the end
stopping people from going down there."