News

Man arrested as murder investigation continues following discovery of ‘human remains’ in Salford

Detectives have reissued their urgent appeal to the public for information.

Emily Sergeant - 8th April 2024

A man has been arrested following the discovery of “human remains” in Salford last week, it has been confirmed.

Following the shocking discovery by a passerby in Kersal Wetlands in Salford last Thursday evening (4 April), and with a murder investigation still currently ongoing and proceeding at pace, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has now confirmed that an arrest has been made.

A 20-year-old man, said to be “from the local area”, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, according to GMP.

He remains in police custody at this time, and will be questioned by detectives.

Through initial forensic and DNA testing, GMP has revealed it believes the victim whose remains have been found is a man who is likely to be aged older than 40, and who has only been deceased “for a matter of days” – but at this time, detectives are still “working hard” to determine the identity of the person.

Detectives say their “main focus” at this moment in time is establishing who the victim is, and although they have not found anything else “of interest to the investigation” in the Kersal Wetlands area at this time, they are assuring the public that their work “will not stop until we are certain we have thoroughly searched this area”.

Local GMP officers and specialist branches within the force, such as search dogs and underwater search teams, are in the process of “combing through every inch of this area” until police are “satisfied” they have searched “as well as we can do”.

With the murder investigation now ongoing, GMP has taken the time following this arrest to reissue its urgent appeal to the public.

“The arrest we made is an important step for our investigation,” commented Chief Superintendent Tony Creely, of GMP’s Salford district, “but we must keep an open mind, and a big part of this is speaking to anyone who may have crucial information.

“As we continue to work in the area, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their concern and cooperation so far, and we are mindful this is a disturbing incident for the local community, but I can assure you that since we were made aware, we’ve been pursuing every single line of enquiry to help us find out what has happened.”

CS Creely says he “cannot stress enough” the importance of people contacting police with information regarding the case if they know anything at all.

He continued: “You may have information that you don’t feel is of importance, but it could be to us, so please pass it on. It could be the key piece of information we need to progress this investigation.”

Anyone who thinks they may have witnessed something suspicious in the Kersal Dale area over the last few days is asked to come forward by calling GMP on 101 and quoting log number 2695 of 4 April 2024, or submit any images or video footage via the dedicated Public Portal here.

Read more:

• Murder investigation launched after teenager is fatally stabbed in Moss Side
• Police continue to appeal after charging man following ‘attempt murder’ of 18-year-old in Whitefield
• GMP makes public appeal after ‘violent assault’ in Manchester Arndale

Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP