Police are investigating a total of six suspicious deaths as part of a probe into a Clacton care home, it has been revealed.

Detectives heading the inquiry yesterday flew to Jersey to seek permission to dig up the body of one of the residents who died at the Carnarvon Lodge Residential Care Home in Carnarvon Road.

Widower George Fowler, 86, died in July last year. His funeral was held in Colchester before his body was buried in Jersey.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said that while charges had been made concerning two deaths at Carnarvon Lodge care home, a further four were being investigated.

Already two people have been charged with the murder of 62-year-old Eunice Fifield, who was also a resident.

Home owner Angela Postill, 41, of Hawkendon Way, Clacton, and Pearl Gunfield, 41, of Harwich Road, Little Clacton, have been charged with her murder in September last year.

Both have also been charged with the manslaughter of Winifred Armstrong, 95, between September 1 and October 19 along with two other care workers at the home which had its registration cancelled last year.

Kirsty Gibson, 20, of West Avenue, Clacton, and Philip Perkins, 35, of De Vere Estate, Great Bentley appeared before magistrates along with Gunfield.

Gunfield, Gibson and Perkins are all due to re-appear before Colchester magistrates on Monday while Postill is remanded to appear before the court on Thursday.

The home's registration was cancelled in October last year following a joint investigation by Essex Police and Essex social services.

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