Two men charged with murder after torso found in nature reserve in Salford

Body parts were discovered spread across Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood in Salford

Two men have been charged with murder after a torso was found in a nature reserve in Salford.

Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski, 68, and Marcin Majerkiewicz, 42, were charged as detectives made a fourth discovery of human remains, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

The pair, both of Worsley Road, Eccles, will appear at Tameside Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon charged with murder.

Police officers by a forensic tent at Kersal Dale (PA Wire)

GMP launched the case after a member of the public found a torso wrapped in clear plastic at Kersal Wetlands in Salford on 4 April.

More suspected human remains were discovered on Monday in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, close to where the victim is believed to have lived.

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This follows earlier discoveries of human remains at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford, over the past three weeks.

Police officers by a forensic tent at Kersal Dale, near Salford, Greater Manchester, where a major investigation has been launched (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Formal identification is ongoing, but the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man aged in his 60s.

The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.

ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.

“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.

“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.

Police and forensic officers at Kersal Dale, near Salford, Greater Manchester (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)

“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.

“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.

“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”

The victim’s identity was unclear for quite some time, despite a scan of DNA databases. Police previously said the remains, which include the bottom of the back, buttocks and thigh, had no distinguishing marks.

They have informed his next of kin after discovering his identity this weekend.