A police officer allegedly found a human torso in a suitcase being carried by a couple on the English-Welsh border.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the discovery on Tuesday night and a large area on the outskirts of Coleford in Gloucestershire remains cordoned off.
It is understood other body parts have been found in the surrounding area in the Forest of Dean.
The couple were allegedly walking along a road when a passing police officer became suspicious of them and stopped to ask what was in the case.
A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said on Wednesday: "Due to an ongoing police investigation road closures and scene guards are in place on the A4136 between Monmouth and Coleford.
"Shortly after 11.30pm on Tuesday 12 May, officers discovered suspected human remains.
"Enquiries continue to establish what has taken place and further forensic tests are being carried out on the remains.
"A woman from Birmingham aged in her 20s and a man from Wolverhampton aged in his 30s have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the investigation and remain in police custody."
There was a large police presence in the area yesterday with roads to the scene all closed and a police helicopter hovering overhead.
Gloucestershire Police have not yet issued any update on the inquiry today.
The police search is centred around the Stowfield Quarry and the surrounding area.
One resident told GloucestershireLive on Tuesday: "The tents weren't there when I went out this morning but they had appeared by the time I got back. I don't know what's going on but they say I can't even walk along the road.
"Somebody said they had found a body and the police say the road will be closed all day."
Another who lives within the cordon said: "I don't know what's happening. I didn't notice anything until I drove down the road and came to the road block. I asked if I could go through and they said yes but I might not be able to get back in again.
"One of the officers said the road might be closed for a few days so it must be serious."
