A manhunt launched by British police continued on Friday (12) after two suitcases containing human remains were discovered on the Clifton Suspension Bridge in the southwestern city of Bristol.
Avon and Somerset Police said on Thursday (11) they received a call at 11:57pm local time the previous day about a man with a suitcase “acting suspiciously” on the bridge. When officers turned up, the man had disappeared but two suitcases containing human remains were found, the force added.
Police have not yet identified the man or the victim, although initial investigations have revealed the man took a taxi to the bridge. A large-scale search was carried out for several hours involving the police helicopter and coastguard, but the man was not located, police said in a statement.
They later released a photo of a man they wanted to speak to in connection with the investigation. “He is described as black with a beard. He was wearing a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket, black sneakers with thick white soles and a black backpack,” police said in a statement.
Vicks Hayward-Melen, acting commander of Avon and Somerset Police in Bristol, told the BBC’s Today programme on Friday that officers were still searching for the man.
“We are still looking to have him speak to him about his presence on the bridge and the matters that led to the location of the bags,” Hayward-Melen said.
A forensic autopsy of the remains found inside the suitcases continued on Friday, she said, adding that the process was “complex and time-consuming”.
Hayward-Melen also said officers and initial responders at the scene are being supported following the “really horrendous discovery.”
Police said Thursday they could not confirm whether the remains were those of more than one person.
“At this time, we are not aware of any current risk to the general public,” police said. They also said high visibility patrols were being carried out in the area.
“Our immediate priority is to locate the man who took the bags onto the bridge, identify the deceased and inform his next of kin,” police said.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge visitor center was closed on Thursday due to police activity, the UK’s PA Media news agency reported.
Local lawmaker Carla Denyer said she was “deeply disturbed by the horrific discovery” of human remains on the bridge. “Distressing events like this are upsetting for all of us who call Bristol home and are proud of our city,” the Green Party MP for Bristol Central said on X.
Source: CNN Brasil
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