A man understood to be the brother of missing ex-EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie questioned after police investigating her disappearance dragged a torso from canal. [8 March 2012]

Murder detectives detained the 35-year-old after the limbless and headless body, feared to belong to the 29-year-old, was discovered in Regent's Canal, east London, on Tuesday.

The female torso was discovered close to Hackney's famous Broadway Market at 2.40pm on Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police said.

It was unclothed and the arms, legs and head had been hacked off before it was found floating in the waterway, added a source.

Detectives said the suspect, understood to be Miss McCluskie's older brother Tony, remains in custody at an east London police station after being arrested in connection with the inquiry yesterday morning.

"At this early stage officers believe they know the identity of the victim but must await further forensic tests before formal identification can take place," a spokeswoman said.

"Police were initially contacted by a member of the public who had noticed something suspicious floating in the water.

"The torso was recovered by divers from the Met's Marine Support Unit(MSU) and additional searches are due to be carried out in the water."

Twitter Appeal

Friends of Miss McCluskie, who starred in the soap as Kerry Skinner in 2001, had been carrying out searches across east London and handing out leaflets. Co-stars Natalie Cassidy and Brooke Kinsella both appealed for help finding her on Twitter.

Police are urging any witnesses with information to call the incident room on 020 8345 3985 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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