Manhunt after suitcases containing ‘human remains’ found in Bristol

Two suitcases believed to contain human remains have been discovered by police, following reports of a man acting suspiciously on Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.

On Thursday morning, a manhunt was launched to find the man who left the suitcases and identify the deceased, Avon and Somerset Police said.

The force said officers received a report at 23:57pm on Wednesday of a man with a suitcase acting suspiciously on the bridge.

The man was reportedly taken to the bridge in a taxi which has since been identified and seized. The driver is assisting the operation, police said.

Acting Bristol Commander, Vicks Hayward-Melen, said: “This is a very disturbing incident and I fully recognize the concern it will be causing our communities.

“Our immediate priority is to locate the man who took the suitcases to the bridge, identify the deceased, and inform their next of kin.”

Clifton Suspension Bridge is closed to traffic and pedestrians as police continue investigations.

In a post on X, the official account for the bridge said: “Due to a police incident, the Bridge and Visitor Center are CLOSED all day today (11th JULY) to ALL traffic and pedestrians. We apologize for the disruption.”

Searches of the area were conducted by police officers, as well as the national police air service and HM Coastguard.

A police helicopter was tracked over the bridge on Wednesday night, according to the BBC.

Clifton Suspension Bridge is one of Bristol’s most recognizable structures. The bridge spans the Avon Gorge and the River Avon, linking Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods in North Somerset.

This is a breaking news story and is being updated.