Salford torso inquiry: More remains found in murder investigation

Police found other body parts at Blackleach Reservoir in Salford

More body parts have been found by police investigating the death of a man after a torso was found at a nature reserve.

They were discovered in two separate locations after the initial find by a passer-by in Kersal Dale Wetlands, Salford, on 4 April.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) believe the victim was in his 60s.

Two men held on suspicion of murder lived with him in a house in Salford, police said. They were not related.

Det Supt Lewis Hughes, from GMP, added: "We have found evidence that the victim is likely to have died there, most likely in late March."

Dog walker's discovery

He said they had found more human remains at Blackleach Reservoir in Salford earlier.

A dog walker also found a package containing body parts at Linnyshaw Colliery Woods on Saturday evening.

Police said forensic tests would continue to establish the identity of the remains found this weekend.

GMP had been unable to identify who the remains in Kersal belonged to until this weekend's searches, but they have since informed the victim's next of kin.

It came after the police search was widened to a total of four locations in Salford and Bury following extra intelligence.

Motive unknown

The victim had died a number of days before his torso was discovered near a bunker on 4 April, officers previously said.

A 42-year-old was detained after he boarded a bus earlier this week, while a 68-year-old was arrested at a property in Winton.

The suspects remain in police custody for questioning.

Det Supt Hughes said there was "no suggestion whatsoever that there is any organised crime in play here but it is too soon to speculate on any likely motive".

He said officers also searched a warehouse in Mitchell Street, Bury after household items were found there, but "there was no information that anybody who owns or works there is in any way involved in any criminality regarding this offence".

"It simply seems items were stored there after the incident with nobody's knowledge."

Det Supt Hughes said "there is still some way to go to complete this investigation" and officers would patrol the affected areas.

"I also recognise the details of this case will have been particularly distressing for the people of Salford and beyond, including our officers who have worked diligently to progress this investigation, and most importantly, to the man's heartbroken family."