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Gina Lander murder: Human remains found in a drain

Human remains were found in a drain at the home of a missing Walsall woman before the man police believe killed her jumped to his death from an M6 bridge.

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Detectives believe father-of-two David Stokes, of Mellish Road, Walsall, committed suicide after he murdered partner Gina Lander, disposed of her body and then reported her missing.

During their search for her, police confiscated his computer and found online searches for 1,000 litre plastic barrels, large water heaters, cable pulling systems, industrial air fresheners, mechanical grinders, meat tendering powder, concentrated chemicals and one search for the 'best way to clean bones'.

The shocking details were revealed during an inquest at Oldbury yesterday, where Coroner Zafar Siddique ruled Ms Lander was unlawfully killed and Mr Stokes committed suicide.

Police are treating her death as murder.

MORE: Read more background to this case - From missing person to grisly murder case

The inquest was told Mr Stokes, a 39-year-old geophysicist, called police to his home on March 16 to report his partner missing.

They began their investigations which were stepped up as suspicions grew.

He jumped to his death off a motorway bridge between Junction 9 and 10 of the M6 on April 21.

Police on the bridge after the suicide of David Stokes

Speaking at the inquest, Detective Inspector Paul Joyce said he believed that Ms Lander was killed by her partner.

He said: "Based on our investigation, I believe that David Stokes has killed her.

"I believe he killed her at home following a breakdown in their relationship. I expect he disposed of her body at home using the equipment and materials he brought and then called us to report her as missing."

Mr Joyce went on to say be believed that Ms Lander's body was 'broken down over a period of 10 days' in Mr Stokes' garage, before he tried to dispose of her remains down a drain. Police searches found that the drains contained high volumes of bleach and traces of flesh as well as fragments of bone and cartilage.

MORE: Read reaction to the inquest verdict here

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