The bad smell that triggered a huge new search of beauty spot in Salford murder inquiry

A bad smell triggered a new search of a beauty spot which is at the centre of a murder inquiry. Nearly three weeks ago, human remains were found in Kersal Dale in Salford.

The lower back, buttocks, and a thigh were wrapped in cellophane and left in plain sight near a footpath. GMP mounted a 12-day search of the location and the nearby Kersal Wetlands.

At the weekend a search was resumed. Today, the Manchester Evening News can reveal it was re-started after reports of a pungent odour in the vacinity - but it turned out to be sulphur.

A huge amount of resources were mobilised after the remains were found on April 4 with sniffer dogs, Tactical Aid Unit staff, forensic officers, and an underwater search team being deployed. The victim is thought be a male aged over 40. The man is white but no nationality has been confirmed.

GMP has confimed that DNA testing has revealed the victim is not on the UK Police Database. No further body parts have been discovered and there was no clothing attached to the remains.

The inquiry was triggered at 5.50pm on Thursday, April 4, when a person out walking found the remains. Police believe children playing in a concrete bunker near where human body parts were found could have vital information for murder detectives. Police are keen to trace witnesses who were in the area, off Radford Street, between 6am and 6pm on April 4th

Last week, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Naismith, Senior Investigating Officer on the investigation, said: “Our focus from day one has remained on the victim’s family. They will be suffering the loss of a loved one, and we need to be able to give them answers to they can come to terms with their loss. Our work is far from over, this is just the beginning of a long