News / Crime
Bodies of two men were in suitcases left on bridge
The bodies of two men were inside the suitcases dumped on the Clifton Suspension Bridge, it has been revealed.
Searches continue for the man believed to have left the two suitcases on Wednesday night but he is no longer believed to be in Bristol.
On Friday, a crime scene was put in place at a property in Shepherd’s Bush in west London, with the Metropolitan Police now leading the investigation.
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Acting Bristol police commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said that the discovery of the human remains “has understandably caused shock and deep concern across our communities”.
Speaking at a press conference close to the bridge, she said that “significant progress” has been made in the investigation, which Avon & Somerset have now passed to the Met.
Post-mortems are still being carried out on the two men found in the suitcases who have not yet been formally identified.
Hayward-Melen said: “It is believed the man wanted in connection with this incident had travelled to the Clifton area of Bristol from London earlier on Wednesday before taking a taxi to Clifton Suspension Bridge where the suitcases were unloaded.
“There is also a crime scene in place at a location in Shepherd’s Bush.
“Our detectives are working closely with the inquiry team from the Met Police and we’ll continue to assist them in any way we can.”
Vicks Hayward-Melen is Avon & Somerset police’s acting Bristol commander – photo: Martin Booth
Hayward-Melen added: “We’re very grateful to the public for the way they’ve responded to our appeals for information.
“Policing relies on the support of the public and we’d like to thank everyone who has contacted us to supply information or help in some way.
“We’ve had more than 160 messages through our major incident room phone number and our online portal.
“We’d also like to thank residents for their patience for any disruption caused by the closure of Clifton Suspension Bridge.
“The bridge reopened earlier today following the completion of our enquiries and the removal of the cordon.
“Despite the investigation being transferred to the Met Police, our neighbourhood policing teams will continue to carry out high-visibility engagement patrols in the Clifton and Leigh Woods area over the coming days and we have a mobile police station located next to the Clifton Suspension Bridge on the Clifton side.”
Main photo: Avon & Somerset police
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