Residents in an upmarket seaside town have been left shocked by the discovering of a headless body in woodland.
Police have described the death as "unexplained", and a source confirmed that the body was found without a head in Salcombe, Devon.
Emergency services were called to the scene and Devon Live has reported a huge police operation in the holiday town as investigations got underway and has been there for two days.
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A Special Ops tent was erected next to the woods as a forensic team continue their investigation. Police and the Fire Service Welfare Unit remain guarding the scene.
The police Devon Rural Communities Officer is understood to be meeting with officials in the town and police have confirmed they will maintain a large police presence in coming days.
The discovery has cast a shadow over Salcombe, which is full to overflowing with tourists, staycationers and second home owners.
A senior police source has confirmed that the body which has been found is definitely not that of Patricia Allen, who disappeared in the town 46 years ago.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police told Devon Live : “Enquiries remain ongoing into an unexplained death after a body was found in a wooded area near Bennett Road, Salcombe, on Sunday June 27.
“A number of enquiries will be carried out in Salcombe over the coming days, and it is likely that the local community will continue to see a high level of police activity.
“We thank them for their support and if anyone has any information please email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting reference number 0700 of Sunday 27 June.”
For many the investigation has brought back memories of the dark shadow cast over the town since the disappearance of young Salcombe mum Patricia Allen and her young children in 1975.
But senior police sources have confirmed to Devon Live that the body found this week is not linked to the 1975 murder mystery: "The body that has been found is definitely 100 per cent not that of Patricia Allen."
The disappearance of Patricia Allen and her children was a mystery that rocked Salcombe at the time, and has haunted locals ever since.
On Sunday afternoon flash flooding hit South Devon, with water pouring down the steep cliffside in the woods above Salcombe's Cliff Road. Then at about 5pm a body was found in the woodlands not far from the Salcombe Harbour Hotel.
The woods below Devon Road and above Bennett Road are popular with dog walkers. They are now cordoned off.
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