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# ‘Child’ found dead in ancient woodland near Devon village as investigation launched
- URL: https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/child-found-dead-in-ancient-woodland-near-devon-village-as-major-investigation-launched/
- Published: 2025-10-18T21:45:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-20T19:25:25.000Z
- Author: Seamus McCoy
- Tags: South West News, #editors-picks

Police have launched an investigation after a body believed to be that of a 'child' was discovered in woodland near the Devon village of Awliscombe this afternoon.

Emergency service sources have told Plymouth Plus that they were called after reports that the body of a 'child' was found in woodland near Hembury Hillfort, an area dating back to the Iron Age.

A large cordon has been put in place, with many roads in the area currently closed while police continue their work at the scene. Forensic officers and specialist teams are conducting detailed searches of the surrounding woodland.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/74/83/7483ab0e-4e89-48b0-a2a9-d29bc2bbbe08/content/images/2025/10/NN2A3227-2.JPG)

Police cordons are in place. ****© Plymouth Plus**

Police have not officially confirmed the age or gender of the deceased, and formal identification has not yet taken place. Police enquiries are continuing to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.

Plymouth Plus understands that the shocking discovery was made by members of the public who were walking in the woodland at the time.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/74/83/7483ab0e-4e89-48b0-a2a9-d29bc2bbbe08/content/images/2025/10/PXL_20251018_145524676-2-1.jpg)

Forensics are at the scene. ****© Plymouth Plus**

A spokesperson for [Devon and Cornwall Police](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/devon-and-cornwall-police/) has told Plymouth Plus:

> "We were called to reports of a body being found in a rural location near Awliscombe at around 11.20am today, Saturday, 18 October.

> "A police cordon has been set up at the scene and some road closures have been put in place in the area.

> "Officers are expected to remain at the scene for some time and enquiries are ongoing."

**UPDATE:**

[Mystery deepens after police say remains not human despite reports of a ‘child’s body’ found in DevonPolice confirm remains in Awliscombe woodland were not human after reports of a child’s body being found. Locals left asking what was discovered.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/74/83/7483ab0e-4e89-48b0-a2a9-d29bc2bbbe08/content/images/icon/Plymouth-Plus-Icon--1--66.png)Plymouth PlusSeamus McCoy![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/74/83/7483ab0e-4e89-48b0-a2a9-d29bc2bbbe08/content/images/thumbnail/PC---2025-10-19T105157.074.png)](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/mystery-deepens-after-police-say-remains-not-human-despite-reports-of-a-childs-body-found-in-devon-woodland/)

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