Harlow: Second man arrested in connection with Phillip Lewis murder investigation

Detectives investigating the murder of 59 year-old Phillip Lewis in Harlow have arrested a second man on suspicion of murder.

Human remains were discovered at Oakwood Pond on New Year’s Eve.

One man – 55 year-old Lee Clarke, of Wedhey, Harlow – has already been charged with murder and is due to stand trial on 21 August. A 23-year-old man was also arrested at the time on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He has been released on bail until later this month.

On 22 February, a 33 year-old man from Harlow was arrested on suspicion of murder and has since been released on bail.

Since the investigation launched, officers have carried out hundreds of lines of enquiry including searches of Netteswell Pond in Harlow.

Over the last few weeks, specialist search officers have been carrying out enquiries at five ponds and reservoirs in Harlow. This work has consisted of police search advisors surveying and searching the water. This is all in order to continue gathering evidence as part of this investigation.

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby, Head of Major Crime, said:

“These continued efforts are all going towards our aim in finding out what happened to Phil and hopefully securing justice for his family, who have been suffering greatly these past couple of months.
“Residents in Harlow may have noticed police across various areas this week as we have carried out this work.
“We have a team working on this investigation and supporting Phil’s family through an extremely difficult time.
“It’s not too late to submit information and we’d ask anyone who hasn’t spoken to us but may be able to help, to contact us.”

If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

You can let us know by submitting a report online or by using our Live Chat service.

Live Chat is an online service available on our website Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm, where you can send and receive real-time direct messages with an online digital 101 operator.

To use the service, select the ‘Live Chat’ icon at the bottom right of your screen when you're on our website. It can be accessed from a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone.

A Major Incident Public Portal has also been set up here as a way for the public to provide information. 

A dedicated phone line has been set up specifically for this investigation and can be reached on 0800 051 4526.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Sunday 8 January

A man has been charged with the murder of Phillip Lewis, whose remains were found in Oakwood Pond, Harlow, on New Year’s Eve.

Two men had been arrested as part of our investigation.

One of those men, Lee Clarke, 55, of Wedhey, Harlow, has now been charged with murder.

He is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, Monday 9 January.

A second man, aged 23, had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He has been released on bail until March whilst our enquiries continue.

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby, head of Essex major crime, said:

“Quite clearly this is a significant stage in the investigation into the death of Phillip Lewis.
“Over the last eight days, we have had a team of dedicated detectives and forensic experts who have pieced together what we believe to be the circumstances around Phillip’s death.
“Of course, that work does not stop at the point of charge and in many ways, this is still the beginning of complex investigation into the death of a 59-year-old man who was a son, a father and a friend.
“One element of that work continues today as, alongside our partners, we continue to drain Oakwood Pond to allow for further investigation of the area to take place.
“This is being done in the most environmentally friendly way possible and I’d like to pass on my thanks to partners for helping to facilitate this.”

Det Supt Kirby added:

“I would continue to appeal to anyone who came into contact with Phillip in any way since 1 November 2022 to come forward. To date, a number of people have come forward and the information they have provided to us has been invaluable.
“Equally, I would like anyone who lives in the areas of Oakwood Pond or the estates coming off Harberts Road, south of Fourth Avenue, and who has CCTV or doorbell video systems to contact us so that we can check it.
“We also want to speak to anyone who regularly visits Oakwood Pond and the surrounding area, who has seen anything suspicious in the last two months.”

We can now confirm human remains found at Oakwood Pond in Harlow at the weekend belong to 59 year-old Phillip Lewis.

Phillip lived in Harlow for many years and was known as ‘Scottish Phil’.

On 4 January, detectives investigating Phil’s murder arrested two men.

A 52 year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 23 year-old has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

The men, who are both local, are currently in custody.

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby, Head of Major Crime, said:

“Phil lived in Harlow and he was well known in and around the town centre and had a wide circle of friends who he would socialise with.
“I want to extend my condolences to Phil’s friends and family and re-iterate my commitment to them that we will work relentlessly to bring those responsible for his murder to justice.
“This has been a fast-paced investigation and we have worked quickly to make arrests, but there is still much to do.
“Specialist officers are continuing to search the area around the pond and work to drain it is ongoing.
“This is really important to identify potentially vital evidence.
“A team of dedicated detectives are continuing to work around the clock to give Phil’s friends and family the answers they need about what happened to him and why.

Det Supt Kirby added we need the public’s help:

“I want to thank the community here in Harlow for their support and understanding.
“I know this investigation has caused shock and concern, but we don’t believe there is an ongoing risk to the wider public.
“You will continue to see a visible police presence in the area.
“I appeal directly to the residents of Harlow for the following information.
“I would like anyone who came into contact with Phil in any way since 1st November 2022 to come forward, so we can build a picture of Phillip’s life prior to his death.
“I would like anyone who lives in the areas of Oakwood Pond or the estates coming off Harberts Road, south of Fourth Avenue, and who has CCTV or doorbell video systems to contact us so that we can check it.
“We also want to speak to anyone who regularly visits Oakwood Pond and the surrounding area, who has seen anything suspicious in the last two months.
“Any information you have, no matter how insignificant you believe it is, could be vital for our investigation and to get justice for Phil’s family and friends."

A dedicated phone line has been set up specifically for this investigation and can be reached on 0800 051 4526.

A Major Incident Public Portal has also been set up here as a way for the public to submit information.

If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services.

Alternatively you can call us on 101.

In an emergency always call 999.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers UK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Please quote incident 582 of 31 December when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.

Specialist officers are continuing their enquiries at Oakwood Pond in Harlow today following the launch of a murder investigation.

Work to drain the pond has begun as part of the work to gather evidence, following the discovery of human remains on New Years Eve. Specialist police search advisors have been working at the scene since Saturday afternoon to carry out searches in the area and our officers have been amongst the community, carrying out house to house enquiries.

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby said: 

“Draining the pond has been a complicated process but completely necessary to gather evidence for this investigation.
“We have been working closely with the Environment Agency, Natural England and Harlow District Council to ensure that no wildlife is harmed during this process.
“Once this draining work has taken place, we will continue to search the area and the cordons will remain in place for the next few days.”

 

Chief Inspector Paul Austin, District Commander for Harlow said: 

“I appreciate that this news is shocking to the local community and our officers have been speaking to concerned residents in Harlow this week.
“Residents will continue to notice a police presence in the area this week. I encourage you to have a conversation with our officers on patrol if you’re concerned.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact us. 

Today, we can confirm we have launched a murder investigation after the discovery of human remains on New Years Eve at Oakwood Pond here in Harlow.

We were called shortly before 2pm on Saturday 31 December by a member of the public who reported a suspicious object in the water at Oakwood Pond.

Forensic officers have since confirmed this to be human remains.

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby, Head of Major Crime, said:

“Through our enquiries at the scene and due to the circumstances in which the remains have been found, we believe this person’s death is suspicious and, as such, have started a murder investigation.
“The investigation is in the early stages and we have a large team of dedicated officers working around the clock on it.
“Specialist officers have been carrying out searches in the area and will continue to do so over the coming days.
“This includes looking to drain the pond to identify any potentially crucial evidence.
“We are working closely with the Environmental Agency and Harlow District Council in order to ensure there is no detrimental effect on the wildlife.
“This person is someone’s loved one and someone’s family member, and they will have questions about how and why they were killed.
“We’re committed to finding out what happened and who is responsible, and have a track record of holding criminals to account.
“If you live or work in the area, you will also continue to notice an increased police presence while we carry out door-to-door enquiries.
“We appreciate that this news has been concerning but we are doing everything possible to determine what has happened.”

An investigation has been launched after human remains were found at Oakwood Pond in Harlow on Saturday 31 December.

Officers were called to Fourth Avenue shortly before 2pm Saturday afternoon following reports of a suspicious object in the water. Specialist forensic officers have since confirmed that these are human remains.

An investigation with Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate is underway and early inquiries are ongoing.

Detective Chief Inspector Antony Alcock said:

"It's the really early stages of this investigation and we are working to determine what has happened. I understand that this is concerning news for local residents and our officers are likely to remain in the area for the next few days to continue inquiries.
"We ask that the public respect the cordons in place and we will be updating the public as the investigation develops."