Man and woman arrested 'after being found with woman's torso in suitcase'

14 May 2020, 11:20

A man and woman have been arrested after being found carrying a woman's torso in a suitcase.

According to The Sun, other body parts were found in the surrounding area of the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire Police said a member of the public reported a vehicle driving suspiciously shortly after 10.30pm on Tuesday.

Police said the car had been travelling on the A4136 near Coleford and was located by officers a short time later, where two people were stopped.

A police officer asked the pair what was in a bag they were carrying, before making the grim discovery, according to reports.

Police said two suitcases were found containing human remains and two people, a woman in her twenties from Birmingham and a man in his thirties from Wolverhampton, were arrested on suspicion of murder.

Police believe there is one victim, a woman, and forensic examinations are ongoing to confirm her identity.

Forensic tests are being carried out and a murder probe has now been launched in connection with the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector John Turner said: "The nature of this incident is distressing and we're working around the clock to fully understand what has happened.

"Someone's life has been lost and our priority is to identify the victim and get answers for her family.

"Searches have taken place in the surrounding area for evidence gathering and contrary to media reports, no remains have been found as part of these searches.

"Our major crime investigation team is working in collaboration with the West Midlands Police homicide team to carry out further inquiries."

Detectives have been given an extra 36 hours to questions the woman, from Birmingham and in her twenties, and the man from Wolverhampton, who is aged in his thirties.

A statement from the police said: "Shortly after 11.30pm last night, Tuesday 12 May, officers discovered suspected human remains.

"Cordons are likely to remain in place for the rest of the day while 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 today, Wednesday 13 May."