Murder hunt launched in Essex after burning body found

The burning body of a man has been discovered along a country track in West Hanningfield, near Chelmsford in Essex.

A post-mortem examination has revealed he died as a result of asphyxiation before the burning body was discovered.

A murder inquiry has been launched and police are appealing for witnesses.

Detectives hope a piece of material, believed to be from a shirt, found next to the body with a stud button attached to it may help them identify the man.

A spokeswoman said: "There is no suggestion he was wearing the shirt. The stud is silver in colour with the words Versace Classic around the edge."

A greyhound racing trophy and medal were discovered in a presentation box also next to the body. Inside was a 3" metal disc with the imprint of a greyhound, and engraved plaque with the words Hackney Racecourse 1988.

The man, aged below 40, and about 5ft 8ins high, also had a surgical bandage and dressing on his upper right forearm, said the spokeswoman.

The spokeswoman said: "We know that this person has died of asphyxiation and we know that the body was burnt after the person actually died. The key to this inquiry is establishing who this victim was."

The body was discovered close to the A12, just a few miles from where three Essex drug barons were found shot dead on an isolated farm track in a Range Rover in 1995.

The bodies of Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe were discovered in Rettendon.