Man, 20, continuing to be held after human remains found in Salford nature park

A human torso was found in a plastic bag on Thursday evening

Author: Dan DaviesPublished 8th Apr 2024

Detectives investigating the discovery of human remains in a Salford nature reserve are continuing to question a 20-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

He was arrested on Saturday, after a human torso was found in a plastic bag at Kersal Wetlands on Thursday evening.

The suspect who is from the local area remains in custody, Greater Manchester Police said on Sunday.

The force also confirmed it was still working to determine the identity of the victim. So far, officers believe the remains belong to those of a man who is 'likely to be aged older than 40 and who has only been deceased for a matter of days'.

Extra officers, as well as search dogs and underwater search teams, remain at Kersal Wetlands as an investigation continues.

GMP said its officers would remain at the scene 'until we are satisfied we have searched as well as we can do'.

Chief Superintendent Tony Creely of GMP’s Salford district, “The arrest we made yesterday evening is an important step for our investigation, but we must keep an open mind and a big part of this is speaking to anyone who may have crucial information.

“As we continue to work in the area, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their concern and cooperation so far, and we are mindful this is a disturbing incident for the local community, but I can assure you that since we were made aware, we’ve been pursuing every single line of enquiry to help us find out what has happened.

“I cannot stress the importance of people contacting us with information if they know anything at all.

“You may have information that you don’t feel is of importance, but it could be to us, please pass it on, it could be the key piece of information we need to progress this investigation.”

Anyone who thinks they may have witnessed something suspicious in the Kersal Dale area over the last few days is asked to come forward by calling 101 and quoting log number 2695 of 4 April 2024.

Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A dedicated portal for anyone to submit images or video footage which could help police can be found here.

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