UK
Kersal Wetlands: Two men arrested on suspicion of murder after human torso discovered in nature reserve
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a human torso was discovered at a nature reserve.
The remains – consisting of the bottom of the back, buttocks and thigh – was found in clear plastic by a passer-by at Kersal Dale Wetlands in Salford, Greater Manchester, on 4 April.
The victim is believed to be a white man over the age of 40, who had died a few days before the remains were found.
Two men, aged 42 and 68, from Salford, who are believed to be known to each other, were arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
The 42-year-old was arrested after officers stormed a bus in Eccles Old Road around midday, the force said.
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The other man was later arrested at an address in Worsley Road.
Officers had trawled through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage before making the arrests, GMP said.
Hundreds of specialist officers were involved in the search. Pic: GMP
They had also deployed hundreds of specialist officers and scientists to search the Kersal Wetlands area.
A 20-year-old man previously arrested on suspicion of murder was later released on bail pending further inquiries.
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Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, of GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said the arrests were “a significant step” in their investigation and they will now question the men in custody which “could be key to finding answers”.
DS Hughes said: “At the centre of our efforts remains our victim. Our investigation is moving at pace and we are determined to identify him and find out how he has met this tragic outcome.
“This victim could be a father, brother, son, or cousin. He is a man over the age of 40, with white skin tone, believed to be European, and most likely had blonde or light brown hair and blue eyes.”