Forensic tests on body continue

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Further forensic tests will be carried out on a headless and handless body, believed to be that of a traveller.

Police started a murder inquiry after finding the body on Friday evening near Icknield Close, Ickleford, near Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

Traveller John Finney, who was 42, was abducted from his vehicle on 29 February. His car was later found abandoned at a farm.

Police said tattoos on the body led them to believe it was Mr Finney.

No formal identification

A post-mortem examination has been unable to establish the cause of death.

Police said Mr Finney was forcibly taken from his Mitsubishi Pajero in Park Farm, Northaw, Hertfordshire, where the car was found abandoned.

Det Ch Insp Bill Jephson is leading the inquiry into the murder.

He said no formal identification had taken place, but the decapitated body was believed to be Mr Finney due to the tattoos he had.

Investigations by detectives from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit continue and extensive searches of both crime scenes have taken place, along with house-to-house inquiries.