Devonport residents and parents were left shaken after emergency services discovered the body of a woman close to a grammar school on Paradise Road, Plymouth on Saturday. Officers established a cordon and partially closed the road while detectives examined the scene.
What happened
Devon and Cornwall Police said they were called to the area at about 12.40pm on Saturday 1 August following the discovery. The deceased has been identified as a woman in her 30s. Her next of kin have been informed.
- Location: Paradise Road, near Devonport High School for Boys
- Time called: around 12.40pm on Saturday 1 August
- Victim: woman in her 30s; next of kin notified
- Police response: cordon and partial road closure while investigations carried out
Police statement and next steps
"We were called at around 12.40pm on Saturday 1 August following a report of the body of a woman in her 30s being discovered near to Paradise Road, Devonport, Plymouth. A cordon was put in place. The woman's next of kin have been informed. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner."
Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious. As standard procedure in such cases, officers will prepare a file to send to HM Coroner, who will determine whether an inquest is required to establish the circumstances of the death.
Local impact and response
Photos submitted to local outlets showed police vehicles and ambulances in the area while investigators worked, and the partial closure of Paradise Road disrupted traffic close to the school. The discovery so near to a school site will inevitably cause concern among parents, school staff and neighbours; authorities have not indicated any ongoing threat to the public.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Paradise Road, Devonport (near Devonport High School for Boys) |
| Time reported | About 12.40pm, Saturday 1 August |
| Victim | Woman in her 30s; next of kin informed |
| Investigation status | Not being treated as suspicious; file to be prepared for HM Coroner |
At this stage, police enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances. Any local resident with information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police through the usual channels. The coroner's process will determine whether further public proceedings, such as an inquest, are necessary.
The proximity of the incident to an educational establishment means council and school leaders may wish to review communications with parents and staff; Devon and Cornwall Police have reassured the public that there is no suggestion of a wider threat arising from the discovery.
