Bridge shut after man dumps suitcases of human remains (2024)

We are going to bring this live page to an end shortly.

You can read the news article which includes all of the details of what happened today here.

We will bring you all the updates as the story develops across BBC radio, tv and online.

For those that don't know Bristol very well, the Clifton Suspension Bridge essentially links the city with North Somerset.

The Bristol side is in the Clifton area of the city, and the North Somerset side goes past Leigh Woods.

The white tent is on the Leigh Woods, or North Somerset, side of the bridge. You can see it is on the pedestrian walkway next to the toll barriers, where cars pay to cross the bridge.

A quieter scene now than it was earlier today but police are still on site and have put a new cordon in place on Gloucester Row which leads up to the bridge on the Clifton side.

Earlier, we sent a drone up above the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Although the area is closed to the public, lots of police activity can be seen on the ground.

There is no indication of when the bridge will reopen yet, police said.

Clifton Suspension Bridge and the nearby visitor centre has been closed all day whilst police search the area.

Teams are currently at the scene searching undergrowth in Leigh Woods.

Police officers are currently searching an area of Leigh Woods, near to the suspension bridge.

Officers said the man they want to speak to headed in this direction, after leaving two suitcases on the bridge.

Police have urged people to not approach the man they are looking to speak to in connection with the incident.

They do not think he is a danger to the community but sightings should be immediately reported by calling 999.

Anybody with information - no matter how significant they believe it is - is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police's incident room on 0800 0560944.

We recently heard from Avon and Somerset Police's Acting Bristol Commander, Vicks Hayward-Melen. She revealed an image of a man police would like to speak to and provided some updates on the investigation.

• The "immediate priority" is to locate the man who took the suitcases to the bridge, and to identify the deceased and inform their next of kin.
• Police want to speak to a black man with a beard in connection with the incident. He was pictured wearing a black Adidas baseball cap with a white motif, a black Adidas jacket with a white motif on the chest, and black trainers with thick white soles. He is also believed to be carrying a black backpack and wearing a gold earring.
• Officers are reviewing CCTV footage to trace his movements, but they confirmed he was heading towards Leigh Woods after leaving the bridge.
• The man was taken to the bridge in a taxi, which has since been seized by police. The driver is helping police with their inquiries.
• Clifton Suspension Bridge will remain closed while investigations continue.

If you missed it earlier, you can watch the press conference in full here.

Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said she could not confirm whether or not the remains were of more than one person.

She added: “Specialist crime scene investigators are currently examining the bridge and surrounding area, and the bridge will remain closed while these inquiries are conducted.”

Beth Cruse
BBC News, West of England

Daniel Hepner, who is visiting Bristol from Washington, tells me this reminded him of "something out of a TV show".

Other locals tell me they are "utterly shocked".

Speaking in the press conference, Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said the search for the man was continuing.

"Officers are currently working to track his movements through CCTV and I can confirm we know he left in the direction of Leigh Woods.

"At this stage we are not aware of any risk to the wider public. However if anyone sees him, our advice is to not approach him and call 999".

To watch the news conference if you missed it, hit the watch live button at the top of the page.

Avon and Somerset Police Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen showed the press an image of the man officers are searching for during the press conference.

Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen was asked if there is any link to the active case of missing student Jack O'Sullivan who hasn't been seen in the city since 2 March.

She said: "I understand theparallels with Jack's case, we would ask anyone to avoid any speculation atthis time.

"I can confirm because of the nature of the incident, andthe concerns people may have, a senior officer have been in contact with Jack's family to inform them of the incident.

"But at this time no parallels are being actively drawn.

"This is very early stages in an investigation."

Police have released a further image of the man they are trying to find in relation to the human remains found in suitcases.

They said he was pictured wearing an Adidas baseball cap and black trainers with thick white soles.

He was also wearing a gold earring and carrying a black backpack.

Acting Bristol Commander Hayward-Melen said police do not think the suspect is a danger to the community but they're aware of the worry the incident will have caused.

"This is a very disturbing incident and I fully recognise the concern it will cause in our communities."

She added the force have put more officers in the area.

If you are just joining our coverage, here are some of the key details we know so far:

• Police were called to Clifton Suspension Bridge at 23:57 BST on Wednesday, following reports of a man with a suitcase acting suspiciously. When officers arrived 10 minutes later, the man had fled the scene, leaving the suitcase behind.
• Human remains were found in the suitcase on the bridge. Shortly after, a second suitcase was located nearby, which also contained human remains.
• An investigation is underway and a manhunt has been launched. There is an increased police presence around the crime scene, and road closures are in place.
• A forensic post-mortem examination will take place later today, police said.
• CCTV has been released of the man

You can read more here.

Police have released an image of the man they are looking for in relation to the incident

A private ambulance has arrived on the scene, where the road closure remains in place.

Avon and Somerset Police cordoned off the Clifton Suspension Bridge early on Thursday morning.

Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen told the press conference she cannot confirm any information about the human remains due to an ongoing forensic post-mortem.

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

Addressing the media, Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said the man headed off towards Leigh Woods after leaving the bridge and they have released a CCTV image.