Police have launched a murder investigation after human remains were found at a nature reserve in Greater Manchester.
A body part believed to be a torso was found by passersby in Kersal Wetlands in the Salford area on Thursday evening. Greater Manchester police (GMP) confirmed on Friday afternoon the body was in a state that meant it was “not possible for the victim to have survived”.
The torso was believed to be that of an adult and had been there for between 24 and 36 hours before it was found, police said. There were no identifying marks and the gender and ethnicity of the person have not been confirmed.
Officers were continuing to search for other remains in the area, and the 32-hectare (79 acres) nature reserve had been cordoned off.
Ch Supt Tony Creely said on Friday afternoon that detectives were keeping an “open mind” and confirmed a postmortem examination would take place.
“Our priority now is establishing who this person is and that we carry out a diligent and respectable investigation on behalf of that person and their family, whoever they may be,” he said.
“We do not know the identity of the person, or whether they are male or female. We do know though that these remains are human and it would not be possible for them to have survived.
“We are speaking to locals in the area; dog walkers and passersby or anyone else who may have the smallest bit of information to make a breakthrough in this case. We urge anyone with information to tell the police without delay.”
“These are very early stages in what is a murder investigation and a tragic case. We are keeping an open mind and doing all that we can to establish the circumstances.”
Det Supt Lewis Hughes, from GMP’s serious crime division, said: “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.
“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.”
