Remains of Shelley Armitage found in river, police say

Human remains found in the River Aire in Shipley are those of missing woman Shelley Armitage, West Yorkshire Police have said.

Extensive forensic tests on "a small piece of human tissue" showed it to belong to the 31-year-old sex worker.

Officers said her family have been informed.

Stephen Griffiths, 40, who described himself as "the crossbow cannibal", has been charged with the murder of Ms Armitage and two other women.

Ms Armitage, who disappeared a month ago and was known to have drink and drug problems, was "a much-loved daughter and sister", detectives said.

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "Further exhaustive forensic tests carried out on a small piece of human tissue recovered from the River Aire over the weekend have confirmed that it is that of Shelley Armitage.

"Searches are continuing, as are ongoing forensic tests. This includes work on the black holdall and contents recovered at the weekend."

Ms Armitage, of the Allerton area of Bradford, was last seen on Rebecca Street in the city centre on 26 April. She was seen on CCTV walking a short distance along a street before turning around and retracing her steps.

Other remains found at the weekend were dismissed on Monday after testing confirmed they were from an animal.

A large black suitcase pulled from the river on Saturday was found to contain tools which are currently being examined.

Body parts found in the river on 25 May were later found to be those of 36-year-old Suzanne Blamires. The body of Susan Rushworth, 42, has not yet been found. She went missing a year ago.

Mr Griffiths' flat on Thornton Road in Bradford is still being searched by forensic experts along with various locations nearby.

He is due to appear at Bradford Crown Court via video link from Wakefield Prison on Monday.