Missing prostitutes underwater search unearths suitcase containing tools

POLICE searching for body parts of two missing prostitutes revealed yesterday that a black suitcase they found underwater contained tools.

Forensic tests were being carried out on what could be human remains recovered on Saturday from the River Aire in Shipley, West Yorkshire, a short distance from where other body parts of prostitute Suzanne Blamires had been dumped.

Criminology student Stephen Griffiths, 40, who dubbed himself the “crossbow cannibal”, appeared in court on Friday charged with the murders of Blamires, Shelley Armitage and Susan Rushworth, who all went missing in Bradford.

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “Officers are continuing to search areas of Bradford city centre and the River Aire throughout the day and are also proactively following several lines of inquiry.

“This will continue throughout the bank holiday and into next week.”

Tests on what was found were continuing.

Blamires, 36, was last seen last Friday week, while Armitage, 31, has been missing since Monday April 26, and Rushworth, 43, disappeared on June 22 last year.

When he was asked for his name at Bradford Magistrates’ Court, Griffiths replied: “The crossbow cannibal.”

Asked for his address, the suspect replied: “Erm... here I guess.”

Relatives of some of the victims were in court for the hearing.

Four hours later, Griffiths made his second appearance of the day at Bradford Crown Court. He spoke only to confirm his full name.

Griffiths is charged with murdering Ms Blamires between May 20 and May 25; murdering Ms Rushworth between June 22 2009 and May 25 this year, and murdering Ms Armitage between April 25 and May 25 this year.

A psychology graduate who was doing postgraduate research in criminology at Bradford University, he was arrested last Monday at his home.