Police pledge to find bodies of dead Bradford women

Police have pledged to do all it takes to locate the bodies of two of three women murdered in Bradford.

A small piece of human tissue belonging to Shelley Armitage, 31, was found in the River Aire in Shipley but her body has not yet been recovered.

Officers are also trying to find the body of 42-year-old Susan Rushworth.

Stephen Griffiths is charged with their murders as well as that of Suzanne Blamires, 36, whose body has been found. All three were sex workers.

Mr Griffiths, 40, from Holmfield Court, Thornton Road, will appear at Bradford Crown Court, by video link from Wakefield Prison, on Monday.

West Yorkshire Police said more than 130 staff, including 60 murder squad detectives and 70 specialist search officers, were continuing to search the river and Mr Griffiths' flat.

A police spokesman said the investigation was "lengthy, detailed and painstaking".

He added: "Police have pledged to continue doing all it takes to locate the bodies of Susan Rushworth and Shelley Armitage as detailed searches continue.

"No significant developments have taken place in the case since the discovery of partial remains of Shelley Armitage, but officers continue to recover items from the river and follow proactive lines of enquiry."

A suitcase containing tools was found on Saturday and will undergo tests once it has dried out.

Police thanked residents and businesses for their "understanding and support" during the disruption caused by the searches and said full support was being provided to the women's families.