A baby's remains were discovered hidden beneath floorboards during renovations at a property in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in July 2024. The skeletal remains, wrapped in a newspaper from 1910, were found with a length of twine looped and knotted around the baby’s neck. The inquest at Crook Civic Centre heard that the police investigation included DNA testing, the expertise of a radiocarbon dating specialist, and a forensic anthropologist. Coroner Crispin Oliver described the case as "sad and unusual," emphasizing the need to determine whether the baby's death was unnatural, violent, or unknown. The DNA test confirmed the baby was a boy, and he has been named Baby Auckland by investigators. The remains were wrapped in a newspaper called The Umpire, dated 1910. A radiocarbon dating expert used a bone sample to estimate the baby was born between the mid-1600s and 1955. The remains were found by Peter Moody, the property owner, during renovations in a second-floor room at Fore Bondgate. He told police the skeletal remains had what appeared to be about a meter of garden twine around the neck. Contractors uncovered the remains beneath the floorboards. The property, which had been a cafe in the late 19th century, was the focus of a police investigation led by Detective Chief Inspector Mel Sutherland. Forensic anthropologist Dr. Micol Zuppello confirmed the remains were human and determined the baby was 38-40 weeks old at the time of death. The body, which had mummified, was placed face-down. However, it was not possible to determine whether the baby was stillborn. Home Office pathologist Dr. Louise Mulcahy noted that no trauma was evident on the remains, but without soft tissue, it was unclear if poisoning played a role. She explained that the twine was looped around the baby’s neck three times, with a knot and an additional loop, and was not used to wrap the newspaper around the remains. Mr. Sutherland explained that the police considered consulting a knot expert but ruled it out due to cost and lack of potential for prosecution. The twine used was generic and did not provide a clear investigative lead. DNA testing did not reveal any known living relatives, and although public appeals led to two sisters coming forward, a DNA match was not confirmed. The coroner asked whether the twine could have been used to hang a religious artefact or for midwifery practices, but Mr. Sutherland said neither was likely. Durham County Council organized a funeral for the baby, with a funeral director and a memorial firm offering their services for free. The coroner will deliver his conclusion later on Thursday. After the funeral in April, Cathy Hunt, a council official, said the baby deserved a dignified burial, and it was important to honor his life.