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Police hunt 57-year-old man after woman's torso discovered in suitcase

An unidentified woman’s body was found in Peterborough without arms, legs or a head

David Hughes
Saturday 06 June 2015 13:56 BST
Handout photo issued by Cambridgeshire Police of Vitautas Jokubauskas
Handout photo issued by Cambridgeshire Police of Vitautas Jokubauskas (Cambridgeshire Police/PA)

Police are hunting for a 57-year-old man in connection with the murder of a woman whose torso was found in a suitcase in Peterborough.

Vitautas Jokubauskas, from Lithuania, had been renting the property where the body of an unidentified woman was found by officers at an address on Mayor's Walk just after 12:30pm on Friday.

The property's landlord called police after other tenants raised concerns over a 'nasty' smell emanating from a room that Mr Jokubauskas had occupied. In the room detectives discovered the woman’s body in a suitcase with no arms, legs or head.

The torso was discovered at an address on Mayor's Walk (Google Maps)

Police are also urgently seeking information on a slim, dark-haired Lithuanian woman in her 40s, believed to be the partner of Mr Jokubauskas. He was reportedly last seen on May 30.

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Gallop said: "We are very keen to trace Mr Jokubauskas and we are clearly very concerned for the welfare of his partner, who has also not been seen for some time.

"Investigations are ongoing to determine where this murder took place and our priorities are to locate Mr Jokubauskas and identify the body.

"I would urge anyone who thinks they have seen Mr Jokubauskas' or recognises the description of his partner to contact police as soon as possible. Anyone who sees him should not approach him and should contact police immediately."

The Press Association reports that police are investigating the possibility that Mr Jokubauskas may have fled to eastern Europe or Ireland, where he is known to have connections.

A post-mortem examination of the body is set to take place on Monday. Officers remain at the property, with a dedicated team established to investigate the murder, believed by police to be an isolated incident.

Anyone with information should contact the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Additional reporting by the Press Association

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