Human remains have been dredged from a Huddersfield canal in a bizarre murder hunt.
The body parts were found by police divers just hours after a man was arrested on suspicion of murder – without a body being found.
Police underwater search teams made the grim discovery during a search for missing sex offender Robert Hind in Milnsbridge yesterday.
Forensic tests will now be carried out to confirm the identity of the remains.
The discovery comes hours after police hunting for Hind confirmed a man had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The 46-year-old suspect remains in police custody.
An area of footpaths along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in Milnsbridge, off Shaw Lane, were yesterday cordoned off.
The underwater search focused along the canal where it runs parallel with Colne Vale Road in Milnsbridge.
Det Supt Scott Wood, senior investigating officer for West Yorkshire Police, said: “The remains recovered from the canal and its banks will now be forensically examined and enquiries are currently ongoing to identify them.”
Yesterday police were also still guarding a house in Manchester Road, Cowlersley, where the Examiner understands the suspect was arrested at the weekend.
One neighbour said: “A man moved in about three weeks ago. He was just on his own.
“Police turned up in vans on Friday night about 7pm and there have been police there ever since.
“Police just told us it was to do with a missing person.”
Officers from the Operations Team based in Wakefield were drafted in to head up the search of a stretch of three locks along the canal yesterday morning.
Dog handlers could also be seen combing the undergrowth alongside the waterway to assist the team.
Officers had also cordoned off a grassy bank off Morley Lane, Milnsbridge, yesterday.
The bank overlooks the River Colne and the canal, which flow through the valley bottom.
As reported Hind, also known as Dack, went missing on Wednesday from an address in Dewsbury and police had earlier warned that he could be a danger to the public, particularly children.
Supt Wood added: “An address on Manchester Road in Huddersfield is also being searched as part of our investigations.
“Neighbourhood Policing Teams are conducting high visibility patrols in each of these areas responding to any concerns locally.
“I am continuing to appeal for anyone with information in relation to this enquiry to come forward as a matter of urgency.
“You can call us on the non emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.”
Missing sex offender Robert Hind had indefinite jail sentence for abusing boy overturned on legal technicality - read full story here
'Human remains' found in Milnsbridge sex offender murder investigation - click here to read
Police search Milnsbridge canal in missing sex offender murder investigation - read it here
