Human body parts found in film producer's van

A New York film producer has been charged with murder after police found human body parts in his van.

Nathan Powell, of Long Island City, is accused of killing Manhattan filmmaker Jawed Wassel.

Police claim Powell hit his victim with a pool cue after an argument about his producer's fee, then cut up his body with a hacksaw.

The pair had just finished 'Firedancer' - a semi autobiographical film about Wassel's homeland of Afghanistan, reports said.

Powell, 38, allegedly kept his victim's head in a fridge and put the other parts into cardboard boxes.

It's claimed he loaded the remains in his van and drove 30 miles to a spot where he intended to bury them.

Detective Lieutenant Frank Guidice said Powell was stopped by police for driving without headlights.

He said: "The officer was very suspicious of his actions. He appeared nervous and his story didn't make a lot of sense."

The officer discovered the body parts after noticing blood on one of the boxes.

Wassel was 42. Powell has been charged with second-degree murder.