Humberside Police have issued a lengthy statement after Bush was sentenced to 20 years. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Alan Curtis said:
“From the moment this investigation began, our focus has been on the families left heartbroken by what happened at Legacy Funeral Directors.
“Behind every enquiry and every item of evidence was a person who had died, a family who had lost a loved one, all of whom were seeking answers, and where possible, some measure of resolution.
“The distress and heartbreak that this investigation has caused for families is simply unimaginable, and even after working on this case rigorously over the last couple of years, the sheer impact this has had on our whole community, and further afield, remains unprecedented.
“When we first attended the premises, it quickly became clear that there were two different sides to the business. On the one hand Bush’s business which was open to the public presented under the façade of being organised and well presented, then delving behind the scenes depicted one of complete disarray.
“This mess only continued to multiply, translating into his finances, accounts, and overall record keeping.
“Robert Bush was a one-man band, the one centrally in control of Legacy. He controlled the finances, the care of the deceased, and the cremations. He was heavily in debt, a poor businessman, and treated the deceased in a way that revealed his questionable moral and ethical compass.
“He exploited people during some of the most difficult times in their lives, taking money for services that were not delivered and failing families at a time they needed him most.
“The damage Bush has caused is quite possibly irreparable, with so many victims who have suffered and continue to do so. Losing a family member or friend you love, and care deeply about can be one of the most traumatic experiences anyone can go through, and Robert Bush took advantage of this.
“There is absolutely no sentence that can be given to Robert Bush that will undo the hurt that has been caused. Many families have had to relive the loss of someone they loved, while others will continue to live with questions that may never be answered. My hope is that today’s outcome provides some measure of resolution that Robert Bush has been held accountable for what he did.
“This investigation has been extraordinary in terms of its complexity, scale, and public impact, which has extended far beyond the evidential process. It is the biggest and most complex investigation in Humberside Police history; we seized just short of 3,000 exhibits, 12,000 items of disclosure, 800 witness statements were taken, and over 300 victims affected, but in reality, it is impossible to know how many people have truly been affected by this case. You cannot go into Hull City Centre without bumping into or knowing someone who has been impacted in some way.
“No police investigation of this size is ever carried out by one team alone. Detectives, Family Liaison Officers, Crime Scene Investigators, specialist staff, Call Handlers, forensic and financial experts, and officers and staff from every part of the force played a part.
“We made a commitment that the families would remain at the heart of everything we did and it is because of all the teams’ unwavering dedication and hard work that we have kept our promise to them and ultimately achieved the outcome we have today.
“What happened at Legacy Funeral Directors is the unthinkable, and the details have shocked the entire country. No matter what walk of life we’re from, we will all encounter death and this case has understandably raised concerns; and led people to question funeral plans not only for their loved ones, but also for themselves.
“Partner agencies and their involvement was absolutely critical to the success of the investigation from start to finish, and I’d like to take a moment to also thank them; Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Coroner, the Crown Prosecution Service, Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner, bereavement services, and National Crime Agency who were key in assisting us with specialist skills and forensic work, as well as supporting the Family Liaison team due to the sheer number who had to be deployed. In addition, our Regional Organised Crime Unit supported with specialist resources and forensic accountants, and of course Victim Support who were absolutely critical, setting up a support line where over 1500 calls were received in the first week of receiving the report.
“Finally, from the very beginning, the families and all those affected in this case have always remained at the heart of our investigation. Their understanding, support and contribution throughout the duration of the enquiry has been truly invaluable and without them, we simply could not have achieved the outcome we have today.
“They have demonstrated extraordinary strength, resilience and courage in this case of unimaginable circumstances, and that will stay with me for the rest of my career.
“We do what we do to try and deliver justice to people who can’t get justice for themselves. Our thoughts remain with all those affected, and we will always remember the lives of those who were entrusted to Legacy Funeral Directors.”
