Police hunt murderer after man's decomposing body found partially buried and wrapped in plastic in Epping Forest
Police said the body could have been there for several weeks after a post mortem confirmed the man was murdered
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Scotland Yard is hunting for a murderer after a man’s decomposing body was found in a popular beauty spot in Epping Forest.
The male victim was found at Hollow Ponds at around 7pm on Wednesday night after a passer-by reportedly “spotted a load of rats scurrying around some bushes”.
The body was found partially buried and wrapped in plastic in the undergrowth off Whipps Cross Road, in a wooded area close to Whipps Cross University Hospital.
A post mortem has confirmed the man was murdered and Scotland Yard said the body may have been laying there for weeks.
Police have identified the victim and his next of kin have been informed.
“Hollow Ponds is a busy and popular local beauty spot, with a café and a boating lake,” Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Piscopo said, who is leading the investigation.
“It is also surrounded by a number of busy roads, including Whipps Cross Road. We would like anyone who may have been in the area in the last several weeks, and may have witnessed any unusual or suspicious activity, to come and speak to us.”
Additional reporting by Press Association