UK girls were 'killed and dumped'

The cause of the girls' deaths has not been established

CAMBRIDGE, England -- The bodies of murdered British schoolgirls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells were found in a "severely decomposed and partially skeletonised" state.

The details were revealed on Friday at the opening of inquests into the 10-year-olds' deaths.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Hebb also said it was not thought that the girls had died in Suffolk, eastern England, where the bodies were found.

Hebb told Cambridgeshire Coroner David Morris that police believed they died in Cambridgeshire, where they disappeared on August 4.

Morris asked Hebb: "You are as certain as you can be that the deaths of these two did not take place at the place where they were found?"

Hebb replied: "That's correct sir."

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Morris said: "The exact time and location of death and circumstances in which they died are yet to be ascertained, and police inquiries are continuing."

A provisional cause of death could not be ascertained due to decomposition.

Coroner's officer Tracy Smith said the bodies had been dumped in a ditch in an isolated location in the Mildenhall area of Suffolk, about 10 miles from the girls' home town of Soham.

Hebb gave the inquest a breakdown of events since the girls disappeared.

He said tissue samples from the bodies were taken for DNA analysis and that they were positively identified using DNA.

The cornoner said he had met with Jessica's parents

The inquest was told that further tests and X-rays were being carried out, and forensic examinations had yet to be completed.

The 30-minute hearing was told that Jessica Aimee Chapman was born in Cambridge, and Holly Marie Wells in Ely.

Neither girls' parents attended the inquest.

Morris said: "Today is a formal occasion and nothing gainsays the tremendous grief which I and my officers feel at the deaths of these two young 10-year-old children."

He said he had seen Jessica's parents, Leslie and Sharon Chapman, for a long period prior to the inquest opening.

He said: "At this time Holly's parents do not feel able to meet with me but may be able to at a later date."

Morris also criticised the offering of rewards for information made by newspapers during the search for the girls.

Several British national newspapers offered rewards totaling over £1 million for information leading to their discovery. (Story)

Morris said: "Personally I have to question the value of offering enormous financial rewards for information, however well intentioned."

The inquest was adjourned to a date after the completion of any legal proceedings.

Ian Huntley, 28, is being held in Rampton top-security hospital after been charged with murdering the girls and sectioned under the Mental Health Act. (Story)

His girlfriend, Maxine Carr, 25, a former teaching assistant who worked at Holly and Jessica's school, is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. (Story)

The bodies were found at the end of this path two weeks after they disappeared

The inquest was held amid a series of developments in a story that has shocked the country and brought messages of sympathy from all over the world. (Story)

England soccer captain David Beckham of Manchester United led a silent tribute to the murdered pair before a match in London on Friday. The two girls were last seen wearing Manchester United tops with Beckham's name and number on them.

Further silences will be held at all FA Premiership, Nationwide League, Conference and supporting league events and rugby matches during the weekend.

A memorial service will be held for the two girls at Ely Cathedral next Friday. Some 2,000 people are expected to attend.