A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the discovery of human remains in two suitcases near Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. The arrest took place at an address in Greenwich early on Friday, July 12, and the suspect remains in custody.
The Metropolitan Police clarified that this arrest is not related to the man sought by police after the release of a photograph on Thursday. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated, “This is not the same man we are appealing for.”
The remains found are believed to be those of two men, but neither victim has been formally identified. One post-mortem was inconclusive, while the second is still ongoing, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Investigations have revealed that the suspect traveled from London to Bristol on Wednesday before the remains were discovered. A crime scene has been established in Shepherd’s Bush, West London, where a helicopter was seen circling above Scott’s Road on Friday afternoon. The area has been cordoned off and is being guarded by four police officers.
Local resident Anthony Priest shared, “I heard them all tearing down here in the early hours of the morning. I heard a police car coming down, with lights flashing. It must have been about half past three.”
The property being searched in Shepherd’s Bush is located next to a large housing estate. Sky News correspondent Matthew Thompson spoke to a woman who lives in a block directly opposite the property and overlooking the crime scene. The woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that she and her mother were woken up at 4:30 am by the sound of dogs barking and a large commotion outside as police arrived at the property. She added that officers have been at the scene since then, with forensic teams entering and exiting the property throughout the afternoon.
The woman expressed her fear at the thought that something connected to the discovery of the bodies in Bristol could have happened in such close proximity to her home.
Avon and Somerset Police, who have not identified the suspect, have released a photograph of him. He is described as a black man with a beard, wearing a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket, and black trainers with thick white soles. He also had a black backpack and was wearing a gold earring.
Authorities have advised anyone who sees the suspect to call 999 immediately. However, there is currently “no information to suggest” that he remains in the Avon and Somerset area.
Reports were received just before midnight on Wednesday evening of a man acting suspiciously with a suitcase on the bridge. It is believed that the wanted man took a taxi to the location where the suitcases were unloaded. The taxi driver is cooperating with the police investigation, and the vehicle has been seized.
Police arrived at the scene within 10 minutes, but the suspect had disappeared, leaving a suitcase behind. A second suitcase was found nearby shortly after. Both were found to contain human remains.
Witnesses have described how the man was confronted after a “tatty” suitcase was seen leaking blood. He then fled the scene, reportedly being chased by a cyclist. The suspect headed in the direction of Leigh Woods after abandoning the suitcases, according to police statements on Thursday.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, who is leading the investigation for the Metropolitan Police, stated, “Over the last 48 hours, we have been working extremely closely with colleagues from Avon and Somerset. This work leads us to believe that the man we need to speak to traveled to Bristol from London earlier on Wednesday evening (July 10).”
The Metropolitan Police have taken over the investigation. Ms. Hayward-Melen, Acting Bristol Commander, expressed gratitude towards the public for their responses in providing information. She shared, “We’ve had more than 160 messages through our major incident room phone number and our online portal.”
