Bristol: All we know about manhunt as human remains found in suitcases at Clifton Suspension Bridge

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A manhunt is underway in Bristol after two suitcases containing human remains were found on the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called to the scene at 11.57pm on Wednesday July 10 after a man was seen acting suspiciously on the bridge.

Arriving ten minutes later, officers said the man had run off and is suspected of leaving a suitcase behind. A second suitcase with similar contents was found nearby after a brief search of the area.

In a press conference on July 11, police released an image of a man they are looking for. He is described as “black with a beard, wearing a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket and black sneakers with chunky white soles. He also had a black backpack and wore a gold earring.”

The force said officers do not believe there is any risk to the general public and are urging anyone with information about the suspect to come forward.

Acting Bristol Commander Vicky Hayward-Melen says the force’s priority now is to locate the man who left the bags and identify the remains.

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“This is a very disturbing incident and I fully recognize the concern it will cause our communities,” Ms Hayward-Melen said.

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

Police later confirmed that the man had left the bridge heading towards Leigh Woods, which was leading from Bristol.

An anonymous eyewitness told reporters that they saw a man being chased by a cyclist on the bridge on Wednesday night. The person said he saw the man running along Burwalls Road, a residential lane leading to Rownham Hill, on the side of the bridge outside the town.

They said there were two suitcases – the one left on the bridge appeared to have blood coming out of it, while the other suitcase was on the road just past the bridge on the Leigh Woods side.

They said Bristol Live: “There was blood on the floor along the bridge.

“The man with the cases ran away from the bridge staff and I saw him being chased by a member of the public on a bike – he was shouting something in Spanish.”

The bridge has now reopened but the search remains ongoing, which is being carried out by local police with assistance from the National Police Air Service and the Coastguard.

Police say the suspect arrived at the scene in a taxi and have confirmed the driver and his vehicle have been located and are now assisting with enquiries.

The force also confirmed that a post-mortem examination will take place sometime on Thursday, July 11.

The news comes as a separate search is underway in Bristol for Jack O’Sullivan, 22, a university student who disappeared more than four months ago. He was last seen leaving a party in the Hotwells area, which is at the bottom of the suspension bridge.

Writing on the official Facebook search group, one of the search organizers Georgie Wooler said: “At this time there is no indication that this is related to the search for Jack.”

Police have confirmed they believe there is no connection to the missing student’s case.

Responding to the news, Carla Denyer, the new Green MP for Bristol Central, 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.”

The toll bridge – free and open to pedestrians – is a Grade I listed building and forms part of the B3129 road. It spans the River Avon and woodland outside Bristol, reaching 248 feet at its highest point. It links the city’s Clifton district with Leigh Woods, a village in North Somerset.

The borough of Clifton is one of the most expensive in Bristol, with an average house price of £481,798 – around £100,000 more than the city average.