Horror as headless torso is found wrapped in plastic in a secluded Salford nature reserve: Murder probe launched as police search for other body parts - but can't say if the remains belong to a male or a female

A murder investigation was launched today after a human torso was uncovered in a nature reserve in Salford.

Police were called to a secluded wooded area on Kersal Dale after a member of the public found the remains wrapped in plastic at around 5.50pm yesterday. 

Officers are now searching for other body parts, while a postmortem will be carried out to try and identify the victim. 

However, they are not expecting the examination to reveal a cause of death because the full body has not been found.

At the moment the gender and age of the person are unknown, although police believe it was an adult, and there are no identifying marks on the remains.

The torso was found without arms or a head, MailOnline understands.  

Police believe the remains had been there for between 24 and 36 hours before being found.

A large woodland area remains cordoned off this afternoon while forensic officers work on the scene. No arrests have been made. 

Greater Manchester Police has urged the public to come forward with 'any information' about the gruesome find. 

Superintendent Tony Creely told a press conference today: 'We do not know the identity of the person or whether they're male or female. 

'We do know, though, that these remains are human, and they would not be possible for them to have survived.

'From forensic inquiry so far, we believe that these remains are likely to have been here for a matter of days. It really is a tragic case.

'Our priority now is establishing who this person is, and ensuring that we carry out a diligent and respectful investigation on behalf of that person and their family, whoever they may be.'

He said that the force's forensic teams and detectives will be in the area 'for some time'.

'We're speaking to those locals in the area, dog walkers, passers by, or anyone else who might have the smallest bit of information.

'We need to make a breakthrough in this case and we urge anyone with any information whatsoever to contact the police without delay.' 

• Anyone with information can call 101 quoting log number 2695 of 4 April 2024. Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.