HORROR FIND
Human remains found inside suitcases on Clifton Suspension Bridge as cops release CCTV of man they are hunting
Pictures show forensics teams swarming the scene where a tent has been set up
COPS are urgently hunting a man after human remains were found inside two suitcases "leaking blood" on Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Police today released CCTV images of a suspect after receiving reports of a man with a suitcase acting suspiciously on the Bristol landmark just before midnight on Wednesday.
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They arrived at the scene within 10 minutes, but the man had already left the area towards Leigh Woods, leaving the case behind.
A second case, also containing human body parts, was located nearby a short time later.
Avon and Somerset Police said they were still "working out" who the suspect is following initial reports at 11.57pm.
A police helicopter and the Coastguard are helping investigators locate the suspect, who was taken to the bridge - which stands 331ft above the River Avon at high tide - in a taxi.
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He is described as black with a beard, wearing a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket, white trainers and had a black backpack.
The force have urged people not to approach him and call 999 if he is sighted, but have said they are unaware of any current risk to the wider public.
Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said this afternoon at the scene: “Sadly, the suitcases contained human remains.
“The searches remain ongoing.
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“Our immediate priority is to locate the man who took suitcases to the bridge, identify the deceased and inform the next of kin.
"An immediate search of the area was carried out by officers on the ground with the support of the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard following the discovery of the suitcases.
"Initial inquiries have established the man was taken to the bridge in a taxi.
"This vehicle has been seized and the driver is helping us with our inquiries.
"Specialist crime scene investigators are currently examining the bridge and surrounding area, and the bridge will remain closed while these inquiries are conducted."
Ms Hayward-Melen said she could not confirm whether or not the remains were of more than one person.
MISSING STUDENT
She was also asked about parallels between the incident and Jack O'Sullivan's case, the university student who went missing more than four months ago after attending a party in Bristol.
The police chief added: "So I understand the parallels that might be made with with Jack's case and we would ask anybody to avoid any speculation at this time.
"What I can confirm is just because of the nature of the incident and the concerns that people may have as you've pointed out there, a senior officer has been in contact with Jack's family to inform them of the incident, but I can confirm at this time that no parallels are being actively drawn."
She added: "Officers are currently working to track his movements through CCTV and I can confirm that we know he left in the direction of Leigh Woods behind me."
A post-mortem examination will take place later today.
Snaps showed signs warning drivers to stay away from the Grade I-listed bridge while forensic officers combed it for evidence.
'WHAT'S IN THEM? BODIES?'
Witness Giles Malone told how he and his wife were waiting for their taxi on Wednesday night when they saw two men lugging heavy suitcases at the bridge.
He said they left his dad's flat around 10.30pm after the England match and were waiting for an Uber outside a pub when two men got out of a car across the street "lifting these suitcases".
Giles, who lives in Florida, USA, said a woman, who appeared to be a passerby, joked with the two men about what was in the bags.
"The lady who was helping them said 'these are the heaviest suitcases I've ever lifted. What's in them? bodies?'," he told .
"We sort of semi-joked about it but they didn't say anything."
"They didn't really say anything of any remembrance at all, they were just struggling with these cases," he said, adding that he didn't help them.
He described the bags as "old, tatty suitcases - two big ones", and identified one of the men as "African-American" and the other as "white".
Another eyewitness, who said he wished to remain anonymous, was out for a walk with his girlfriend across the bridge when he saw a commotion ahead.
“There were two suitcases, one left on the bridge with what appeared to be blood leaking from it, the other case was on the road just after the bridge on the Leigh Woods side,” he told .
“There was blood on the floor along the bridge. The man who had the cases ran from the bridge staff and I saw him being chased by a member of the public on a bike.
“The cyclist followed the man, who was wearing a dark or black clothing, and was seen running down Burwalls."
Resident Michael Mulcahy, 57, told the : "It's horrific to think someone has been chopped up and put in a suitcase.
"I think the guy must have gone there with the intention of chucking them over the side of the bridge.
"But those safety rails are very high - it would take some effort to pitch a heavy suitcase over the top."
Carla Denyer, MP for Bristol Central, posted on X: "I am deeply disturbed by the horrifying discovery of human remains at Clifton Suspension Bridge overnight.
"Distressing events like this are unsettling for all of us who call Bristol home and are proud of our city.
"Thank you @ASPolice for your swift action.
"I am in contact with authorities and will do anything I can to support a swift and thorough investigation."
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First opened in 1864, the Clifton Suspension Bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and spans the Avon Gorge.
If you have any information which could help the police investigation, please call 101 and quote reference 5224180010.
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