Murder probe armed police have arrested a man in connection with the discovery of human remains in suitcases on Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge.
The suspect, 24, was detained at Bristol Temple Meads railway station in the early hours of this morning, the Metropolitan Police has revealed.
He will now be taken to London for questioning, the force announced, as part of a joint operation also involving Avon and Somerset Police.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine described today’s news as ‘a significant development’ and said they were not looking for anyone else.
Police had earlier named Colombian national Yostin Andres Mosquera, 24, as someone they were hunting in connection with the grim discovery first made on Wednesday.
Human remains were discovered in two suitcases on the Clifton Suspension Bridge (pictured) in Bristol on Wednesday
Police earlier released an image of a man they wanted to trace in connection with the suitcases discovery on Clifton Suspension Bridge
Scotland Yard previously confirmed Colombian national Yostin Andres Mosquera, 24, was the man they are hunting in connection with the discovery first made on Wednesday. Pictured above eating fish and chips at the Crown and Anchor pub in Chiswick
Police have been removing potential evidence from a home in Shepherd’s Bush, west London
The property in Scotts Road has been cordoned off since Friday as the investigation continues
Police believe there are two male victims, although formal identification is yet to take place.
A 36-year-old man who was arrested in Greenwich, south-east London, on Friday in connection with the investigation has since been released without charge.
Mr Valentine said of this morning’s arrest: ‘This is a significant development in our investigation and I would like to thank the public for their support.
‘We understand the concerns of local communities in both Bristol and London and officers will remain in the Clifton and Shepherd’s Bush areas over the coming days to reassure those affected by this tragic incident.’
‘Anyone with any concerns is encouraged to speak with them.’
A police forensic services van arrived at a crime scene on Scotts Road in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, just after 9.20am today.
Three police officers guarded a cordon taping off the area, which has been in place since Friday.
Just before midnight on Wednesday, police were alerted by bridge staff about a man acting ‘suspiciously’.
But by the time officers arrived, the man had fled the scene, leaving his luggage behind.
He is believed to have left the bridge in the direction of Leigh Woods with one witness saying he was pursued by a cyclist.
Graphic showing the movements of the operation since the bodies were discovered
Forensic officers remove evidence from a property on Scotts Road in Shepherd’s Bush
A forensic officer at an address in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, where more remains were found on Friday
Police have carried out a post-mortem examination but it was inconclusive, with a second one remaining ongoing.
Assistant Bristol Commander Supt Vicks Hayward-Melen previously told a press conference: ‘They discovery of human remains in two suitcases on the Clifton suspension bridge on Wednesday night has understandably caused shock and deep concern.
‘It is believed the man had travelled to the Clifton area of Bristol earlier on Wednesday before taking a taxi to the Clifton Suspension Bridge where the suitcases were unloaded.
‘There is also a crime scene at Shepherd’s Bush. Forensic post mortem examinations are still being carried out but are believed to be that of two adult males.
‘It is important to stress that they have not been formally identified at this time and efforts to locate and speak to their next of kin are being prioritised.’
An American tourist who was waiting for a taxi on the bridge on Wednesday evening with his wife has told of seeing ‘two men getting out of a car and lugging heavy-looking suitcases’ across the road.
The pair had been waiting for a taxi close to the bridge, having watched England’s footballers beat the Netherlands to reach the Euro 2024 final against Spain.
A female passerby, is said to have observed two men struggling to carry the ‘heavy’ looking cases across the road intervened to help them and joked about their contents, Giles Malone said.
Police and forensic officers and at an address in Shepherd’s Bush, west London
A police officer at an address in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, after human remains were found in two suitcases near the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol
She told them: ‘These are the heaviest suitcases I’ve ever lifted. What’s in them? Bodies’.
‘We sort of semi-joked about it but they didn’t say anything,’ he added.
He told LBC: ‘My wife and I were watching the football game with my dad in Clifton Village and we left my dad’s flat at 10.30pm after the football game.
‘We were waiting for an Uber on the corner by the pub and we were stood there waiting for our car.
‘A man and another man got out of another car across the street and they were lifting these suitcases across the road for some reason, right by us.’
Mr Malone who lives in Florida but has family in the West Country, explained he thought little of the incident until he was on the way to play golf the morning after.
‘I was coming across the bridge to go up to Long Ashton and my dad says it was closed (the bridge) because there was a national news item about some suitcases found,’ he said.
‘I immediately looked at my wife and said, “I wonder if that is a coincidence from last night?”‘
The 250ft bridge linking Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods over the Avon Gorge is covered by central barriers and safety nets to prevent people from killing themselves.
A forensics tent set up on Clifton Suspension Bridge where the two suitcases full of human remains were found
A picture of the moment staff at the bridge uncovered the grisly contents of the cases has now emerged, showing two men in high-vis vests investigating with torches
An aerial shot of a forensic tent on the Clifton Suspension Bridge on July 11
Giles Malone spoke about his encounter with a man wanted by police over human remains found in a suitcase
A map of Clifton Suspension Bridge in relation to the city of Bristol
The rest of the bridge is not covered by netting, with a drop to the road below.
Police have ruled out suggestions the discovery was connected to the disappearance of missing law graduate Jack O’Sullivan.
While police said they had been in touch with Jack’s family ‘to inform them of the incident’, they added ‘no parallels are being actively drawn’ between the two cases.
The 23-year-old has not been seen since he went to a house party in Bristol on March 2 and his family are continuing to plead for information on his whereabouts.
Anyone who has information is urged to call police on 101 quoting CAD 306/12JUL. To remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers.