The victim of a major murder investigation in Salford has been named and pictured by police.
Detectives are ‘confident’ that the victim is Stuart Everett, 67, though formal identification is yet to take place.
A major investigation was launched on 4 April after body parts wrapped in plastic were found in Kersal Dale.
Further human remains were then discovered at Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood over last weekend.
DNA samples have been sent away for urgent forensic analysis, after which the victim’s identity will be formally confirmed.
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Stuart’s family are being supported by specially-trained GMP officers.
GMP said: “In the last 48 hours they have heard the most devastating news that anyone could hear, and our thoughts remain with them as they begin to process this.”
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Two men have been charged with murder and will appear at Manchester Crown Court this morning.
A large police presence will continue to be deployed around Salford as GMP looks to recover more evidence.
The remains found at the other three locations in Salford are still to be tested, but GMP says it is ‘confident’ that they belong to the same victim.
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Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “My thoughts and the thoughts of officers and staff across Greater Manchester Police are with Stuart’s family at this traumatic time. Family Liaison Officers are supporting them through each update in our investigation.
“On behalf of Stuart’s loved ones, I ask the public and the press to please respect their wishes for peace and privacy while they process this most devastating news.
“My officers and detectives, alongside additional resources from across the force, have worked tirelessly over the last three days to secure charges.
“We are grateful for the public’s continued help and support throughout this case. We understand the shockwaves this has caused throughout the community and beyond, and we hope you are reassured by the pace of our investigation and also our large police presence in the areas as we continue to make enquiries.
“We have officers drawn from different teams and units in GMP who have helped us search and their efforts do not go unnoticed, and they have all played an important role to help us get to this stage in our investigation.
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“We said right at the start that our investigation will not stop until we have every stone unturned, and this continues to be the case. Our investigation has been a huge process so far, and we will continue to push forward in our enquiries to find answers for Stuart’s family.”
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder. They are due to appear at Manchester Crown Court this morning (30 April 2024).
Trafford Council temporarily bans barbecues, fireworks and more at key local attraction after Dovestone fires
Danny Jones
Trafford Council has issued a limited ban on barbecues, fireworks and more at the beloved public attraction and suburban hotspot, Sale Water Park, following the fires near Dovestone Reservoir.
Wildfires and areas of concern remain around the moorland region, which caught fire last weekend.
After a woman was arrested as part of a wider investigation into a group that accidentally caused the ignition, accidental or not, the Greater Manchester borough’s local authority has temporarily restricted BBQs, fireworks, and any other kinds of naked flame.
This is a proactive and preventive measure by the Council in an effort to avoid similar circumstances as those seen in the Saddleworth and Oldham vicinity, with the sight and smell of the smoke still lingering across the region.
Barbecues, fireworks and naked flames are temporarily restricted at Sale Water Park due to the increased fire risk during the hot and dry weather.
Please help us keep the park safe for visitors, wildlife and nearby communities.
As explained in the official update from Trafford Council, while local residents and tourists alike are welcome to bring picnics and cold beverages as they hope to both beat and enjoy the heat, a serious fire risk is still very much present.
Implementing the ban across Sale Water Park in an effort to protect native visitors, wildlife and nearby communities, increased police patrols will be dispatched across the 152-acre patch of grasslands and artificial lake.
While the Manc nature reserve and popular slice of countryside just beyond the outskirts of the city centre will still be open from “dawn until dusk” throughout the week, security staff will also be on site, ready on standby with water and sand available to safely extinguish any fires.
The Council has also reminded people to park responsibly and avoid blocking access routes in and around the parkland, as recent busy periods during the ongoing UK heatwave have led to congestion in and around the park, which can also delay emergency vehicles.
Visitors are encouraged to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport where possible.
A Trafford Council spokesperson said in an official statement: “We want everyone to enjoy Sale Water Park safely. However, the current hot and dry conditions mean there is an increased risk of fire, particularly from barbecues, fireworks and naked flames.
“This temporary restriction is a proportionate step to protect people, wildlife and the park itself. Visitors are very welcome to bring cold picnics, but we are asking everyone not to bring or light barbecues while the restriction is in place.
“We’re also asking visitors to park considerately, keep access routes clear and take litter home if bins are full. To avoid the busiest times, people could consider visiting before 9am or later in the evening.”
As for the Dovestone and Tintwistle Moor blaze, the latest is that a suspect’s identity has now been revealed; you can find out more down below.
Featured Images — Namiras1 (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
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Woman, 20, publicly named and charged with aggravated arson in relation to Dovestone moorland fire
Emily Sergeant
A woman who was arrested on suspicion of arson as part of the ongoing investigation into a large moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir has now been charged.
She has also been publicly named as 20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde.
She has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and has been remanded in custody before appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today (14 July 2026).
After the blaze broke out on Saturday evening at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response that has now entered its third day, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies have also been deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
Residents affected by smoke are advised to keep windows and doors closed where possible.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says its officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
“While we have secured charges against one individual, our investigation remains ongoing,” explained Detective Inspector Andrew Day. “Detectives are carefully reviewing all available evidence to identify anyone else who may have been involved in criminality linked to this incident.”
As criminal proceedings are now active, GMP says it would encourage people to ‘avoid speculation’ online, particularly on social media.
Daisy Jackson -
30th April 2024 
