The human remains found in two suitcases near the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol are believed to be those of two adult men, the Metropolitan Police said
Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said the Metropolitan Police has taken over the investigation.
There is a crime scene in place in Shepherds Bush after two suitcases containing human remains were found on the bridge on Wednesday night.
Avon and Somerset Police had earlier released a photograph of the suspect but had not identified the man.
The public is still advised to call 999 immediately if they see him.
He was described as black with a beard, wearing a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket and black trainers with thick white soles. He also had a black backpack and was wearing a gold earring.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, who is leading the investigation for the Met, said: “Over the last 48 hours we have been working extremely closely with colleagues from Avon and Somerset. This work leads us to believe the man we need to speak to travelled to Bristol from London earlier on Wednesday evening (10 July).”
Police said on Thursday the suspect had gone towards Leigh Woods after abandoning the suitcases.
Officers received reports just before midnight on Wednesday of a man acting suspiciously near the bridge.
Commander Hayward-Melen said the suspect had been taken to the bridge by taxi and that the driver is helping with the investigation.
Ms Hayward-Melen added: “We’re very grateful to the public for the way they’ve responded to our appeals for information.
“We’ve had more than 160 messages through our major incident room phone number and our online portal.”
One eye-witness described seeing two men lugging “tatty suitcases” on the bridge as a passerby joked about the contents of the bags.
Giles Malone told LBC how he and his wife were waiting for their taxi on Wednesday night when they saw two men carrying heavy suitcases.
Speaking the day after the interaction with the men, Mr Malone 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.”
He said another women, who appeared to be a passerby, joked with the two men about the contents of the bags.
By Will Conroy
