A newborn baby girl discovered in a snowy Salford field could have been dead for up to three years before her remains were found, police have revealed.
Mystery Baby ‘Ava’ Found by Dog Walker
Officers named the baby Ava after her body was found by a dog walker at Ashtons Field in Little Hulton on November 21 last year. Detectives believe she was full-term and may have been stillborn.
Forensics Suggest Chilling Storage
New forensic tests indicate Ava’s body may have been stored in a fridge or freezer before being buried in a shallow grave. Experts think wildlife then disturbed the grave, bringing her remains to the surface.
“Ava was moved to Ashtons Field sometime between November 1 and 20, but her level of decomposition shows she had died long before then. If she had been kept frozen, it could have been two to three years earlier,” said Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley.
When discovered, Ava was wrapped in a pair of pink women’s briefs decorated with donkeys—believed to be maternity underwear. DNA from both a man and woman was recovered but hasn’t matched anyone in databases yet.
Police Hunt for Baby’s Mum
Authorities are actively investigating local vehicle movements and familial DNA links in a bid to identify Ava’s mother. They urge anyone with information to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, use the Major Incident Portal, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
