Clifton Bridge suspect pictured for first time after human remains found in suitcases
Police have released an image of a man they are hunting after two suitcases containing human remains were dumped on Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
Clifton Bridge: Police on scene after human remains found
An image of a man has been released by police in connection with the discovery of two suitcases containing human remains in Bristol.
The picture shows a black man with a beard, wearing a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket, black trainers with thick white soles and carrying a black backpack.
Avon and Somerset Police has urged people not to approach the man and to call 999 if he is seen. The force said they are unaware of any current risk to the wider public.
Officers were called to reports of a man with a suitcase acting suspiciously on Clifton Suspension Bridge just before midnight on Wednesday (July 10).
Despite police arriving less than 10 minutes later, the man had left towards the Leigh Woods area, leaving the suitcase behind. A second suitcase was found nearby a short time later. Avon and Somerset Police said they were still "working out" who the suspect is.
Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen told reporters at a press conference on Thursday afternoon: "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.
"These searches remain ongoing. 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. A post-mortem examination will take place later on Thursday.
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An eyewitness told the Bristol Post the man who ran off was shouting in Spanish. The witness, who said he wanted to remain anonymous, was walking with his girlfriend across the bridge from when he saw a commotion ahead.
He said: "We got to the Leigh Woods end of the bridge at 11.37pm, and saw the blood on the bridge and one case. We kept walking and saw the second case at the side of the pavement on the road directly after the bridge.
"We then stopped at the junction of the B3129 and Burwalls as we were thinking about what route to take. We decided to walk down Burwalls, then as we walked down we heard a commotion and a cyclist chasing a man, saw the guy ran off and we decided to turn back towards the bridge.
"We got back to the bridge at around 11.55pm, spoke to the staff, and they called the police, and we waited for the police to arrive.
"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."
Forensics experts have been scouring the Grade I-listed bridge in west Bristol which is arguably the city's most iconic landmark.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge visitor centre was closed due to the police activity and the crossing shut to traffic as the probe took place.
