Human remains have been found in South Cumbria and a man has been charged with murder.
Police said the remains were found on land off Ashes Lane in Staveley, near Kendal.
Specialist search teams are in the area, including dogs and divers.
Enquiries are ongoing to identify the remains and the area remains taped off.
Cumbria police are working with Lancashire Police, who are searching for a missing Blackpool man.
Edward Forrester, 55, was last seen on September 1 and reported missing the following day.
Lancashire police said: “Eddie’s family have been made aware of the development and they continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
“Further searches will take place in Cumbria over the coming days.
“Last week, after consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service, we charged William Wilkinson, 65, of Seafield Road, Blackpool, with Eddie’s murder.
“He has since appeared at Preston Crown Court where he was remanded back into custody to stand trial on March 4, 2024.”
DCI Mark Haworth-Oates, of our Force Major Investigation Team, said: “This remains a fast-moving investigation and yesterday’s sad discovery is potentially a very significant development.
“Eddie’s family are being kept up to date and this is clearly a very distressing time for them.”
Anyone who saw a white Peugeot Boxer van, registration number KX09 XPA in Kendal and Windermere on September 3 and 4 is asked to come forward.
Email [email protected] or call 101, quoting log 1384 of September 2, 2023.
