Bristol Clifton suspension bridge latest: Police release image of suspect after body parts found in suitcases

Alex Ross reports from the scene that the Clifton Suspension Bridge is back open to the public today.

Visitors would be forgiven for not knowing about the incident on Wednesday night, given that there is no longer any sign of a police presence at the scene.

The forensic tent near the Clifton Suspension Bridge visitor center on the Leigh Woods side of the bridge has disappeared and no officers are stationed there.

The suspect headed towards Leigh Woods, but there was no apparent police presence there.

We know the police were looking at the CCTV last night so possibly the search has moved to a new location.

Carla Denyer, MP for Bristol Central, said she was “deeply disturbed” by the discovery of human remains in two suitcases at the Clifton Suspension Bridge and thanked police for their “swift action”.

The Green Party co-leader posted on X: “I am deeply disturbed by the gruesome discovery of human remains at the Clifton Suspension Bridge overnight.

“Disturbing events like this are unsettling for all of us who call Bristol home and are proud of our city.

“Thank you @ASPolice for your swift action. I am in contact with the authorities and will do everything I can to support a swift and thorough investigation.”

Giles Malone told LBC that another woman, who appeared to be a passerby, joked with the suspects about what was inside the “lousy suitcases” later found to contain human remains.

“Another lady started helping them and the lady helping them said ‘these are the heaviest suitcases I’ve ever lifted.’ What’s in them? bodies?

“We kind of joked about it, but they didn’t say anything.”

Both cases contain what are believed to be human remains, police said.

He described the bags as “old, chunky suitcases – two large ones,” and identified one of the men as “African-American” and the other as “white.”

He added: “I was crossing the bridge to go to Long Ashton and my dad says (it was closed) because there was national news about some suitcases being found.

“I immediately looked at my wife and said ‘I wonder if this is a coincidence from last night.’

Acting Bristol Chief Constable Vicks Hayward-Melen said: “This is a very distressing incident and I fully recognize the concern it will cause our communities.

“The investigation is being led by our Major Crime Investigation Team and involves specialist officers and staff from across the organisation.

“Specialist officers are ready to give them any support they need.”

Police have contacted Jack O’Sullivan’s family to “report the incident” but said they are “not actively making parallels”.

The 23-year-old was last seen at around 3.15am on March 2 in the area of ​​Brunel Lock Road and Brunel Way in Bristol.

A police helicopter and the Coastguard are helping the force locate the man, who was taken to the bridge in a taxi.

The photo released by police shows a black man with a beard, wearing a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket, black sneakers with white chunky soles and carrying a black backpack.

The force urged people to stay away from him and call 999 if he is seen, but said they were not aware of any current risk to the general public.

Police said they determined “the man was taken to the bridge in a taxi.”

Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said in a statement: “This vehicle has been impounded and the driver is assisting with our enquiries.”

Avon and Somerset Police said their “immediate priority” was to locate the man and identify the human remains.

Officers were called to reports of a man seen acting suspiciously on the bridge at 11.57pm on Wednesday.

They arrived at the scene within ten minutes, but the man had already left the scene, leaving the suitcase behind. A second suitcase was found nearby a short time later.

Avon and Somerset Police said they were still trying to identify the bearded man wearing a black cap in the footage released to the media on Thursday afternoon.