Becky Watts Search: Police Find Body Parts

The family of Becky Watts have said they are "devastated" after police looking for the missing 16-year-old announced they had found body parts.

A massive search for the teenager has been under way since she was reported missing from her home in Bristol on 20 February.

Becky's family said in a statement they were "at an utter loss to understand why anyone would want to hurt our beautiful Becky in such a brutal way".

Two people - a 28-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman - were arrested on Monday by Avon and Somerset Police on suspicion of murder.

Police have been granted an additional 24 hours to question the pair, who had previously been arrested on suspicion of Becky's kidnap.

Five other people - four men and a woman - have also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Detective Superintendent Mike Courtiour said: "As a result of new information received late last night, we attended a house at Barton Court in the Barton Hill area of Bristol.

"The information suggested that Becky's body had been cut up and a search at the new location resulted in the discovery of body parts.

"Although formal identification procedures have not yet been completed, we have made Becky's family aware of this discovery."

Becky left home on 19 February with her phone, laptop and tablet computer but did not tell anyone where she was going.

A statement released by Becky's mother Tania, grandmother Pat and brother Daniel said: "We are at an utter loss to understand why anyone would want to hurt our beautiful Becky in such a brutal way.

"We are grateful to the police for all they have done and are continuing to do in this investigation.

"Whilst there are people in custody, none of whom are connected to the Watts family, we will not be making any further comment and we ask that our privacy is respected at this horrific time."

In a separate Facebook post, her brother wrote: "Can't believe what I'm hearing, Really have lost faith in humanity this day. RIP sis love you forever an always xx."

Her cousin, Dale Martin Galsworthy, posted: "At breaking point, how can you do this you monsters I will never forgive you, you have broken my family's hearts for life."

Becky's father and step-mother, Darren and Anjie Galsworthy, described the news as "too much to bear".

Meanwhile, local residents have expressed their horror at the latest developments.

"The whole community is in shock," one resident told Sky News.

Detectives have seized a black Vauxhall Zafira - registration HY06 HYA - and say they want to speak to anyone who has ever owned the car or has seen it between 19 and 23 February.

Police have put up a white tent outside a property in Barton Court while forensic teams continue their work.

The property is a mid-terrace home close to Cotton Mill Lane, where police were carrying out searches on Monday.

Officers have also previously carried out searches at her home in Crown Hill, St George, and at a house in Wilton Close, Southmead.