Interpol probe funeral error of Northumberland woman
Apr 8 2009 by Tom Mullen, The Journal
THE body of a Northumberland woman at the centre of a cremation mix up has been returned to the North East. As reported in yesterday’s Journal, the family of Heather Brierly believed they had seen her cremated after a horror car crash in Spain which claimed the lives of three women.
But her body was in fact lying in a mortuary in Somerset, having been confused with the corpse of her friend, Julie Wash.
Last night it was confirmed Ms Brierly’s body had been returned to Northumberland, as Interpol joined the police investigation to work out the identity of the woman who was cremated in her place.
Mrs Wash’s family were too upset to speak at their Somerset home. It is understood the Northumberland coroner is now liasing with Ms Brierly’s family.
The public relations agent, 59, was on holiday with her neighbour, mum-of-two Ruth Robson, 76, at the time of the smash. They lived opposite each other in Ridley Mill, Stocksfield.
The third friend, Julie Wash, 58, from Somerset, also died in the tragedy.
On Monday police confirmed Mrs Robson’s body had been correctly identified and buried in Hexham. But the police investigation was trying to establish precisely what happened to Mrs Wash’s remains.
