DEATH RIDDLE
Mystery as headless human torso found wrapped in plastic near Salford river – as murder cops search for more body parts
Several entrances have been cordoned off after the horror find
COPS are on the search for further body parts after a headless human torso was found wrapped in plastic.
An urgent murder probe has been launched after the "disturbing" discovery at a nature reserve in the Kersal Wetlands in Salford, Manchester.
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The grim find was made by a member of the public yesterday evening in Kersal Dale, near to Radford Street.
The popular site was busy as families were enjoying their Easter holiday outings when cops arrived at the traumatic scene at around 5.50pm.
Police said the torso was wrapped in plastic and confirmed the victim has not yet been identified.
A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out but officers are not expecting it to provide a cause of death because more remains are yet to be found.
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The gender and age of the person cannot be confirmed as of yet, although investigator believe it was an adult.
There are no identifying marks on the remains.
Forensic teams believe the remains had been there for between 24 and 36 hours before being discovered.
Several entrances to the reserve, which is off Littleton Road, are cordoned off.
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Cops are also stationed outside the reserve on the Prestwich side, near Bury New Road.
Greater Manchester Police have urged anyone with information to come forward to help shed light on the "unsettling find".
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, of GMP's Serious Crime Division, said: "I want to assure the local community that although this is a disturbing and unsettling find, we have a large visible presence in the area to complete inquiries, provide reassurance and to listen to any concerns."
He encouraged anyone with any information to come forward and inform police.
The detective explained how the scene has been cordoned off and is likely to remain that way "for some time" in order to "unravel what exactly has happened".
The area is still closed to members of the public.
He continued: "The victim has not yet been identified, but we know that behind this discovery there will be a family who have lost a loved one, and we want to make sure they are supported as quickly as possible."
Forensic officers are currently scouring the scene for evidence.
An evidence tent has been erected.
The nature reserve is located north of Manchester city centre, and spans around 32 hectares of countryside, according to its website.
At a press conference yesterday, Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Creely said: “We are investigating the discovery of human remains that were found by passersby at Kersal wetlands yesterday evening.
“We do not know the identity of the person or whether they are male or female.
“We do know that these remains are human and it would not be possible for them to have survived.
“We believe that these remains are likely to have been here for a matter of days.
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“It really is a tragic case.
“Our priority now is to establish who this person is.”
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