Headless Torso Found On Beach By Students In England

Police in Hampshire, England launched a murder investigation after a group of foreign students found a headless torso on the Southsea beach.

The students were visiting the popular beach on Tuesday evening when they discovered the torso, which was wrapped in a black trash bag, Portsmouth's The News reports. The students quickly alerted nearby workmen, who contacted the police.

Officials have since determined that the torso belonged to a "post-pubescent" man, according to the BBC. Though investigators have not been able to pinpoint an exact cause of death, they have determined that the man suffered a "sustained and violent assault." It is also unclear whether the body was disposed of on the beach, or washed up with the tide.

Police noted the difficulty in identifying the victim without the aid of "conventional methods" such as fingerprinting or dental records, the Independent reports.

The beach was especially busy on Tuesday, as hundreds of visitors had arrived to see the 175th anniversary celebration of cruise company P&0. Now, police are attempting to collect statements from any spectators who may have noticed anything unusual over the course of the day, according to the Daily Mail.

Investigators urge locals to contact police if they come across any "suspicious packages," which may contain either discarded body parts or other items related to the case.

[Hat tip: Fark]