Police update as preliminary findings suggest placenta found in Southampton is human

Officers investigating the discovery of a placenta in the Holly Brook Park area of Southampton on Wednesday morning (21 June) are now in a position to confirm that preliminary findings indicate the placenta is human.

As we issue this update, we continue to appeal to the person who may have given birth without support to please make contact with either police or our NHS colleagues.

Southampton Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy said: “Now that we have preliminary findings that indicate this discovery to be a human placenta, we remain increasingly concerned for the welfare of the mother and the child.

“I understand that this must be a very distressing time for you and that you may be frightened, but we want to make sure you are getting the right help and care, so please get in touch with us.

“We would also like to speak with anyone who has any concerns about someone who has recently been pregnant, that you think may have been pregnant or may have given birth recently without support.

“Anyone who contacts us can speak with us in complete confidence. Our absolute priority is to ensure the mother and child receive the assistance they require.

“Officers will remain in the area of Holly Brook Park for now. If you have any concerns, however insignificant you may believe them to be, please do not hesitate to approach an officer or to make contact with us.”

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference incident 1723 of 25/06/23 or report online via our website quoting OP HOLDO https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/