Police appeal over river 'murder'

Mr Richards' body was found in the river Rhondda

Police investigating the suspicious death of a man are appealing for information about items of his clothing which were found last week.

The body of Christopher Richards, 23, was found in the river Rhondda, off Ton Row, Ton Pentre on Thursday, 26 April.

Two days earlier, clothing which has now been identified as belonging to Mr Richards was found on a nearby bridge.

A man, arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday, has been released on police bail.

On Tuesday, 24 April, trainers, a top and trousers were found on the river bridge that passes from Ton Row to a cricket pitch.

We don't know how or when the clothes ended up on the bridge Det Superintendent Paul Kemp

"The clothes found on the bridge have been identified as belonging to Mr Richards," said Det Superintendent Paul Kemp, who is heading the investigation.

"We would very much like to establish how long the clothes had been there and are appealing for anyone who saw them before 10am on the Tuesday morning to contact us immediately.

"We know Mr Richards was seen in the area of nearby Clarence Street at about 2215 BST on Monday evening, the night before the clothes were found.

"We don't know how or when the clothes ended up on the bridge."

Layers

Police asked for anyone who saw Mr Richards in the Ton Pentre and Gelli areas between 2215 BST on 23 April and 1000 BST on 24 April, to get in touch.

Mr Richards is believed to have been wearing several layers of clothing and was clothed when his body was found.

An incident room has been set up at Ton Pentre police station and the arrested man is being questioned at a local police station.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 01443 743828 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.