Pictured: Man, 34, whose body was found in a suitcase – after it was discovered in woods ‘by family taking part in teddy bear hunt’

A man whose body was found inside a suitcase by families taking part in a teddy bear hunt has been pictured for the first time. 

Dale Mundell, 34, from Islington, was discovered inside the case that was reportedly covered in ‘hundreds of flies’ and left at Borstal Recreation Ground in Rochester, Kent.

Police had been alerted to a potential murder at an address on Kingfisher Court, off Queensmere Road, in Wimbledon at 10.55pm on Thursday.

Officers found nobody inside the property during the search but believed someone had been hurt at the scene and launched a murder investigation.

They later arrested Joshua Miller, 32, and Jamie Cooper, 27, who have since been charged.

Miller, 32, appeared via videolink to Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with the murder of Mr Mundell on July 8, and preventing a lawful burial on July 9.

He appeared alongside co-defendant Cooper, of the same address, who is charged with preventing a lawful burial on July 9.

The victim and the two suspects were known to each other, police previously said. 

Police are pictured at the scene on Friday following the discovery of the case that was reportedly covered in ‘hundreds of flies’

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, was at the park attending a teddy bear hunt organised as a fundraiser for a local nursery when the suitcase was discovered.

She told KentOnline: ‘I saw the luggage before the police. I was with my niece and nephew, so I was busy keeping them from seeing it.

‘What I saw was the suitcase covered in hundreds of flies. I actually heard the buzzing from them first.

‘I noticed that it was a large suitcase and had a snow sledge next to it.’

Mr Mundell’s family are being supported by specialist officers.

Miller will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on July 15.

Miller and Cooper will then both appear at the same court on August 10 for a plea hearing.

Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, who is leading the investigation, previously said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family who are understandably distraught at their loss.

‘We will continue to offer them every support.

‘This has been a fast-moving investigation and we are working tirelessly to establish the exact circumstances of the incident.

‘Although we have made two arrests and do not believe there is any wider risk to the public, we would ask that anyone with information comes forward to police as soon as possible by calling 101 with CAD 9504/9JUL.’