THE charred remains of a man have been discovered on a Lanarkshire football pitch.
The discovery was made early this morning on the pitch behind Margaret Drive in Motherwell, Lanarkshire.
Police were called shortly after 9am on Saturday and officers are still at the scene.
They are treating the death as unexplained and enquiries into the discovery are now underway.
It's understood the body was set on fire.
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An onlooker said: “A young woman found the body.
“She was absolutely distraught.
“Two fire engines rushed down the street followed by three police cars.
“From my window it looked like an animal carcass.
“It was only when I really concentrated I realised it was human.
“Firemen were carrying pails of water up and dousing it.
“It was like it was still smouldering.
“My stomach flipped and I felt sick.
“I just started screaming.”
The body was found near boulders used to outline a football pitch on waste ground in the Muirhouse area.
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Roads around the park are taped off with dozens of uniformed officers standing guard.
Plain clothes detectives were spotted carrying out door-to-door enquiries.
Forensics experts in white suits combed the scene and held up a blue tarpaulin while a police photographer took shots of the remains which were hidden under a tent.
Officers picked up what appeared to be two 5L bottles which were found yards away.
Retired transport manager Richard Delaney, 70, lives next to the park.
He said: “It’s used as a drinking den down there.
“Loads come down and drink in the corner of the park.”
Another neighbour told how he watched the investigation from the high flats across the road.
He said: “From above it looks like the body was dragged there.
“The grass is all flattened.
“It goes in a straight line the round in a semicircle and stops where the body was found.”
Graphic photographs of the victim’s charred remains have been circulating on social media.
Around 9am on Saturday, 24 February, 2024 the body of a man was discovered in the Margaret Drive area of Motherwell.
His death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are at an early stage to establish the full circumstances.
Officers remain at the scene and anyone with information or concerns can speak to them. Alternatively, call 101 quoting reference 0923 of 24 February.
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