Man arrested over river body parts

A 40-year-old man arrested following the discovery of body parts in a river is being questioned on suspicion of murdering three prostitutes, police have said.

The remains were found in the River Aire, in Shipley, West Yorkshire, at about 2pm on Tuesday.

West Yorkshire Police said the man had been arrested on suspicion of murdering Bradford sex workers Suzanne Blamires, 36, from Allerton, Shelley Armitage, 31, also from Allerton, and Susan Rushworth, 43, from the Manningham area.

The scene in Dockfield Road is close to where the Otley Road crosses the river.

A substantial area is taped off and police have erected a white forensic tent within the cordon. Officers including detectives, dog handlers, forensics specialists and divers have been at the site.

A force spokesman said: “We haven’t yet been able to identify the remains and inquiries are continuing.”

Ms Blamires, 36, has not been seen since Friday, Ms Armitage has been missing since Monday April 26, and Ms Rushworth was last seen near her home on June 22 last year.

Assistant Chief Constable Jawaid Akhtar said police had been granted extra time to question the 40-year-old man, who was arrested on Monday.

He said the body parts appeared to be the remains of one woman who had not yet been identified.

At a news conference at the scene, Mr Akhtar said: “The man is being questioned on suspicion of the murder of Suzanne Blamires, aged 36, who went missing on Friday. He has also been arrested and will be questioned on suspicion of the murder of Shelley Armitage, aged 31, who has been missing since Monday April 26, and the murder of Susan Rushworth, aged 43, who has been mising since Monday 22 June 2009.”

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