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A man has been arrested in Bristol after two suitcases containing human remains were found on Clifton Suspension Bridge.
The 34-year-old was detained by armed officers in the early hours of Saturday morning at Temple Meads Station and police say they are now not looking for anyone else in connection with the discovery.
Forensic officers were seen going in and out of a property in Shepherd’s Bush, west London on Friday and Saturday after more human remains were found there. It is believed that the remains in London are connected to those found in Bristol, and that they are of two male victims.
Police were called to the scene at 11.57pm on Wednesday 10 July after a man was seen acting suspiciously on the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Arriving 10 minutes later, officers said a man had fled and was suspected to have left behind a suitcase. A second suitcase with similar contents was found nearby after a short search of the area.
Police later confirmed the man had left the bridge heading towards Leigh Woods, leading out of Bristol.
Officers said the man arrived at the scene by taxi, and confirmed that the driver and his vehicle had been located and he is now helping with inquiries.
The news came as a separate search is underway in Bristol for Jack O’Sullivan, a university student who went missing more than four months ago. He was last seen leaving a party in the Hotwells area, which sits at the bottom of the suspension bridge.
Writing on the official search Facebook group, one of the search organisers 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 case of the missing student.
Responding to the news, Carla Denyer, new Green MP for Bristol Central, posted on X/Twitter: “I am deeply disturbed by the horrifying discovery of human remains at Clifton Suspension Bridge overnight.
“Distressing 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 authorities and will do anything 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 over the River Avon and a forest area at the side out of Bristol, reaching 248ft at its highest point. It connects the city’s Clifton neighbourhood to Leigh Woods, a village in North Somerset.
The Clifton neighbourhood is one of Bristol’s most expensive, with an average house price of £481,798 – around £100,000 more than the city average.
