Clifton Suspension Bridge suitcase probe 'not linked to missing student'

Police have confirmed "no parallels" are being drawn between the discovery of human remains in suitcases near the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the disappearance of student Jack O'Sullivan. In a press conference on Thursday, July 11, Avon and Somerset Police said that Mr O'Sullivan's family had been informed of the investigation but said they do not believe there are any links between the two cases.

The 23-year-old, whose mother is from Neath, was last seen walking near Bristol city centre, along Brunel Lock Road, on Saturday, March 2 at 3.15am, having attended a birthday party in the Hotwells area. His last known location was near to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, at the Cumberland Basin just 800 metres away.

An investigation has been launched today after suitcases containing what police believe to be human remains were dumped at the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Given Mr O'Sullivan's last known location, concern had been raised that his disappearance was linked to this latest police investigation.

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However, in a press conference police said "no parallels are being actively drawn" between the ongoing search for the missing 23-year-old, and the incident which saw a man abandon two suitcases on the approach to the Clifton Suspension Bridge just after 11.30pm on the night of Wednesday, July 10.

Chief Inspector Vicks Haywood-Melen, said she understood that there may be questions about whether this incident could be connected to the missing persons inquiry, but said the police were not linking the two. “I understand the parallels that might be made with Jack’s case, and we would ask anybody to avoid any speculation at this time,” she said.

“What I can confirm is just because of the nature of the incident and because of the concerns that people may have, a senior officer has been in contact with Jack’s family to inform them of the incident, but I can confirm at this time that no parallels are being actively drawn,” she added.

As part of the investigation at the bridge, police have released two images of their prime suspect in the case. The picture released by police shows a black man with a beard, wearing a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket, black trainers with thick white soles and a black backpack.

The force have urged people not to approach him and call 999 if he is sighted, but have said they are unaware of any current risk to the wider public. Live updates on the ongoing investigation can be found here.