An ice swimmer found two suitcases in murky waters under the Rybatsky Bridge in the city of St Petersburg, Russia, and saw severed human remains when opened one of them
Footage of male suspects carrying suitcases containing human remains
Police in Russia are urgently investigating the discovery a dismembered man’s remains, which were found with “all internal organs removed” in two suitcases.
The body parts were found by an ice swimmer in murky waters under the Rybatsky Bridge in St Petersburg. The swimmer opened one of the suitcases and saw severed human remains.
CCTV footage showed two suspects taking the suitcases – one pink, the other black – to the bridge, at the confluence of the Neva and Slavyanka rivers in the city, formerly called Leningrad, that is Vladimir Putin’s birthplace. The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a murder case amid suspicions over the removal of internal human organs from the victim – including the heart, kidneys and liver – who is unidentified but believed to be aged between 20 and 30.
Currently, the motive is unclear with fears over human organ trafficking or even cannibalism. One suitcase contained the torso itself – wrapped in polyethylene, but without any internal organs, according to reports.
The second contained the head, arms and legs of the victim. On the severed head, state investigators found severe bruising, and well as wounds on the cheek and chin.
Earlier today, we reported that a murder investigation was launched in India after a woman was found dead with her body stuffed inside an abandoned travel bag. The suitcase was found lying by a stop stop on a road in the state of Haryana and the victim has been identified as Himani Narwal, a 22-year-old political worker in the Indian Congress party.
Her mother, Savita, has refused to perform her last rites until justice is served. “Election and party politics claimed my daughter’s life. She made enemies because of that. The perpetrators could be from the party or even her friends,” Savita said.
Authorities investigating the case said in a statement: “It is a murder and we are investigating it. The deceased has been identified as Himani Narwal. We are contacting her family members. Further investigations are ongoing.” Himani, who was living in Rohtak, northwest of New Delhi, had been actively involved in the Congress party for the past 10 years, participating in Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ – a march to the unite the country – and working closely with senior party leaders during the Haryana assembly elections.
Senior Congress leader and former leader of Haryana, Bhupinder Hooda, posted on X: “The news of the barbaric murder of Congress worker Himani Narwal in Rohtak is extremely sad and shocking. I pay my tribute to the departed soul and express my deepest condolences to the family members. This in itself is a blot on the law and order situation of the state.”