Man bailed over daughter's death

Medical records were used to establish Victoria Couchman's identity

The father of a 19-year-old woman whose remains were found in woodland has been released on bail.

Tony Couchman was arrested on Saturday after medical records identified the remains found in Hastings, East Sussex, last Monday as his daughter Victoria.

Sussex Police say the cause of the single mother's death has not yet been established and forensic tests are still being carried out.

Mr Couchman, 45, has been released on conditional bail until 17 November.

I can confirm that Vicky was not reported as a missing person to Sussex Police Detective Inspector Jeff Riley

The skeletal remains were uncovered after children playing in Redgeland Wood, in the Queensway area of Hastings, found a skull.

It was originally thought the remains had been in the woods for up to 10 years but, following further discoveries, police said they thought they had been there for about 18 months.

Medical records established the remains belonged to Miss Couchman, who had lived with her father about a mile from the woodland where her body was found.

Detective Inspector Jeff Riley, the senior investigating officer, said: "I believe that Victoria Couchman went missing some time during May this year.

"I can confirm that Vicky was not reported as a missing person to Sussex Police."