Removal men link to murder hunt

Police are stepping up inquiries

Police want to trace men who were seen removing furniture from the flat of a 40-year-old whose decomposed body was later found.

Richard Campbell was discovered by workmen last week in his ground-floor flat in Dalmarnock, Glasgow.

It is understood he had been dead for at least seven months.

On Monday, officers, who are treating the case as murder, appealed for help to establish Mr Campbell's movements since the start of the year.

A police spokeswoman said: "A post-mortem examination revealed that he had been the victim of a violent attack and had been lying in the flat for a considerable amount of time.

"The last confirmed sighting of the victim was on 5 March and we are very anxious to speak to anyone who knew him or had any dealings with him after Christmas 2000.

Second hand dealer

"In particular we are keen to trace the occupants of a van which was seen around March 2001 removing furniture from the flat.

"It is known that Richard assisted in loading the van and it is believed that it may belong to a second hand dealer who bought the furniture from the victim."

It is understood Mr Campbell, who was unemployed, died from head injuries.

The spokeswoman added that it was not yet clear why he was killed.

"Inquiries to date have failed to establish any apparent motive for the attack on the victim who was known locally as a quiet individual who kept himself to himself.

"He is known to have frequented the public houses and bookmakers in the Parkhead Cross area," she said.