M45 murder victim images released
by Ben Glass
January 7, 2009
Watch video of where the body was found
THESE are an artist’s impressions of a mysterious man whose body was set alight beside a Warwickshire motorway.
Police have released the images in the hope the murder victim will be recognised by friends or family.
A murder enquiry was launched after the man’s body was found burning alongside an M45 embankment near Dunchurch, Rugby at 1.30pm on December 30.
A pathologist’s report revealed he died as a result of head injuries and was set alight after death.
Detective Superintendent Adrian McGee said: "Our main priority at this point in time is to find out who this man was and then to establish how and why he died.
"A body was found beside the motorway, but this man was more than a body - he was a son and perhaps a brother, husband and father - and he deserves the dignity of an identity.
"Someone knows who he was and we hope that these new images will jog people's memories and they will come forward and tell us who he was.
"We are not certain of his ethnicity so we are keeping an open mind at this stage.”
He said: “Did you work with him or see him at the job centre? Was he part of your social network or did you see him in the street?
"I appeal to everyone to think hard about friends, family members or colleagues who they have not seen or heard from recently and also to anyone who may have seen someone who looked like this man in any location or situation.”
He added that bluetooth technology has been put in place at the north and south bound service stations at Watford Gap on the M1 where members of the public will receive alerts to their mobile phones appealing for information.
DNA information and palm prints have been sent to Interpol and officers are working with the national Missing Persons Bureau as well as other police forces.
The victim is believed to have been between 45 and 75 years old, between 5ft 2ins and 5ft 4ins tall with longish wispy hair and a full beard that was dark and greying.
Although the images show him wearing a collar and tie DS McGee said this might not have been his normal clothes.
Anyone with who recognises the man can contact Warwickshire Police on 01926 415789 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
