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ID mystery in body parts inquiry Body parts man died of stab wound
(about 6 hours later)
Police searching for the killer of a man whose body parts have been found across two counties are set to release a facial reconstruction of the victim. A man whose dismembered body was found in locations across Leicestershire and Hertfordshire died of a stab wound to the back, police have said.
Detectives in Hertfordshire and Leicestershire have appealed for the public's help in identifying the man.
His head was found in a field in Leicestershire, while his torso, left forearm and legs were found in separate locations in Hertfordshire.His head was found in a field in Leicestershire, while his torso, left forearm and legs were found in separate locations in Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire Police said they hoped to create the facial likeness this week. Det Ch Insp Michael Hanlon said it was one of the "most horrific" crimes he had ever dealt with.
So far detectives working on the case have found no match on the DNA database or missing persons' register. He was convinced the victim would be recognised from the police description.
Officers from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit are working with officers in Leicestershire on the murder inquiry. The man was aged between his mid-40s and early 60s and was of large build, weighing between 16 and 17 stone.
The man's torso, with full right arm and upper left arm still attached, was found in Gore Lane, Standon, on Saturday. He had been killed with a large knife driven into his back, piercing his body cavity and causing a fatal wound.
It was discovered two miles from the A10 at Puckeridge where a right leg was found dumped in a bag on 7 April. Horrific case
Fungal infection "It is a very exceptional crime, not just an exceptional crime in Hertfordshire, but the UK as a whole," said Det Ch Insp Hanlon.
The first discovery, a left leg, was made on 22 March in a lay-by beside the A507 at Cottered. "Quite lengthy steps have been taken to prevent us identifying who the victim is," he said.
A week later, on 29 March, the left forearm was found on a verge beside a lane near the village of Wheathampstead. "It is certainly one of the most horrific cases I have dealt with just by the nature of it.
Then on 31 March a head was discovered in a field near a cemetery in Asfordby. "Fortunately, it is extremely rare that we have to deal with such a crime where individuals have been dismembered.
Police previously said the man suffered a skin condition which caused discolouration on his legs. "I need the assistance of the public to help us identify who the victim is.
He is thought to be white or Asian and was between 5ft 6in (1.67m) and 5ft 10in (1.78m) tall with a shoe size of between seven and nine. "Once I have that identity, that opens up a large number of lines to identify who the perpetrators are."
He is also believed to have suffered from a form of fungal infection to his toenails and was missing two front teeth. The torso was found in a green Gullivers suitcase of the same type as a holdall in which the left leg was found on 22 March.
The victim was killed in the 48 hours before the first discovery of a body part on 22 March Det Ch Insp Michael Hanlon
"We also know from examinations that have taken place that the victim suffered, in his younger life, a fracture to his lower left leg which occurred when he was aged between 10 and 25," Mr Hanlon said.
"The fracture was such that the man would have needed to have worn a cast at that stage.
"I can also say the man did not have any tattoos or operational scars.
"Experts are working to recreate a clay reconstruction of the man's face in the hope that will assist our efforts to identify him.
"We hope to show this later this week."
Mr Hanlon said he believed the victim was killed in the 48 hours before the first discovery of a body part on 22 March.
All the body parts were dumped at the same time.