Man in burning car was murdered (From Romsey Advertiser)
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Man in burning car was murdered
10:29am Friday 13th April 2012 in News
POLICE have made a painstaking search of a road near Romsey where a man’s body was found in a burning car.
Officers formed a line to sweep Chilworth Drove, in Chilworth, in what was described by detectives as an “evidence gathering” operation. Fire crews discovered the body as they tackled a car blaze in the early hours of Tuesday.
Detectives said that he was murdered.
The victim was a man in his 20s whose body was found lying on the back seat of a silver Mercedes car.
Police are yet to confirm the man’s identity and have so far not made contact with his family. They are also trying to find a motive for the killing.
The results of a post-mortem examination to determine exactly how the man died have been inconclusive but officers are hoping that ongoing painstaking forensic work could soon give them the answer.
It’s understood that toxicology tests are also under way but the results could take weeks.
As is standard practice with murder inquiries, a second post-mortem examination could now be undertaken as officers try to piece together what happened.
It’s believed that as part of the inquiry, officers have been looking at all reports of missing people in the area.
Work is also ongoing concerning who owns and uses the Mercedes car in which the man’s body was discovered.
Further details of the car, which was removed from the scene under tarpaulin by a tow truck, can today also be revealed as officers made a fresh plea for information from anyone who may have seen it.
The vehicle was a two-door C200 CDI and was badly burnt out during the blaze.
Detectives leading the inquiry, codenamed Operation Wedgewood, are now urging anyone who saw the vehicle being driven late on Monday evening or in the early hours of Tuesday to come forward.
