1 week ago
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Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a human torso was found wrapped in plastic at a nature reserve in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police said it had arrested a 42-year-old and 68-year-old just weeks after officers found the human remains - consisting of the bottom of the back, buttocks and thigh - in Kersal Dale Wetlands in Salford on April 4.
The victim is believed to be a white man aged over 40, who had only been dead for a matter of days.
One of the men was arrested after officers stormed a bus on Eccles Old Road around midday on Thursday, the force said, while the other was later arrested at an address on Worsley Road.
The arrests of the two men, who are believed to be known to each other, came after officers trawled through hundreds of hours of CCTV, GMP said.
Police officers searching the woods at Kersal Dale, near Salford, Greater Manchester, after the human remains were found earlier this month
Police continue to search Kersal Dale, Salford, where a dismembered male torso was found
A forensic officers walks with a plastic bag full of a number of miscellaneous items after a major investigation was launched following the discovery of human remains
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, of the Greater Manchester Police's serious crime division, said: 'Today's arrests are undoubtedly a significant step in our investigation and our focus now is questioning the men in custody, which could be key to finding answers.
'We are continuing to work round the clock looking through every single line of inquiry that we have established and you may see further searches in the city over the coming days as we work to leave no stone unturned.
'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.
'We continue to appeal to anyone missing a loved one who matches this description to come forward.
'We are by no means finished with our investigation; we are still in the early stages of finding out what has happened but please be reassured that we are making good progress.'
Police and forensic officers at Kersal Dale, near Salford, Greater Manchester, after an extensive police scene was put in place on April 5
Officers searching for other body parts at the Kersal Dale nature reserve on April 5
A passer-by found the bottom part of a back, buttocks and thigh in clear plastic while walking through the nature reserve on April 4.
More than 100 officers along with search dogs, crime scene investigators and scientists later descended on the scene and launched a search of the wetlands and surrounding areas, but no more human remains have been traced.
A man, 20, was arrested on April 6 on suspicion of murder in connection with the case. He has since been released on bail.
Police temporarily suspended bin collections during their search for other body parts, amid concerns the killer used one to hide remains.
Anyone with information is urged to call 101 and quote log number 2695 of April 4 2024.
Information can also be passed on anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
