Map reveals where headless torso and further human remains have been found by locals in Salford

Release time：2024-05-21 08:38:07 Source：International Image news portal

A map created by MailOnline reveals where a headless torso and other human remains were found by locals in horror discoveries across Salford. 

Greater Manchester Police have charged two men with murder today as they continue work to formally identify the victim - believed to be a local man in his 60s. 

The series of gruesome discoveries began on April 4 when a local found a lower back, buttocks and thigh wrapped in cellophane in Kersal Dale Wetlands.

Then on Saturday, a dog walker found 'human remains' in a package at Linnyshaw Colliery Wood. 

And just one day later, on Sunday, body parts were also found by divers in nearby Blackleach Reservoir.

Police confirmed today that two men arrested have since been charged with murder. 

Further suspected human remains were found in an alleyway close to railway lines in Eccles, Greater Manchester, this morning.

Police combing through woodland at Kersal Dale, near Salford, on April 5 where the headless torso was found

A forensic officers walks with a plastic bag full of a number of miscellaneous items on Friday, April 5 

Police searching Kersal Dale, Salford where the dismembered male torso was found on April 4

Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski, 68, and Marcin Majerkiewicz, 42, both from Eccles, are due to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court later today.

Announcing details of the 'breakthrough' last night, Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes said: 'We have continued to make significant progress in our investigation into human remains being found in Kersal earlier this month.

'From day one, our priority has been to identify the man and his family so that we can give them the support and the answers that they need.

'Thanks to meticulous forensic work, we are now confident we have identified the man. Formal identification hasn't yet taken place, but we believe he is a man in his 60s and lived in Salford.'

He continued: 'We believe he [the victim] is known to the two suspects we have in custody. 

'They have remained in custody for questioning over the weekend, as we work to establish how the victim met this tragic outcome.

'We have painstakingly worked to follow up every line of inquiry in this investigation.

'Over the last couple of days, we have acted on information and had four scenes in place for extensive searches – one of them is at a warehouse in Bury, and three of them are in Salford, including here at Blackleach reservoir.'

A heavy police presence was pictured at Blackleach Country Park as part of the investigation into the headless torso

North West's Underwater Search and Marine Unit operating in Blackleach Country Park Reservoir yesterday

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service welfare vehicle pictured at Blackleach Country Park Reservoir yesterday where human remains were found

Detective Superintendent Hughes said although 'forensic tests will continue to establish whose remains these are' they are 'confident' they belong to the victim in this investigation. 

He added: 'We have also been searching a house in Winton where we believe the victim and the two suspects lived. 

'We have found evidence that the victim is likely to have died there – most likely in late March.

'While this is significant progress, we know there is still some way to go to complete this investigation.

'I also recognise details of this case will have been distressing for the people of Salford and beyond - including the officers that are diligently working on this investigation, and most importantly the man's heartbroken family.

'Local officers will continue to patrol the affected areas, and we will provide updates when we have more information.' 

Reacting to the charges today, ACC Sarah Jackson from Greater Manchester Police said: 'We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. 

'It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.

'We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning's further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.

'Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.

'The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.

'We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.

'I'd like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we've had from those in the area is very much appreciated.'

Related articles