Police investigating the case of a teenager whose body was found with the head severed have said he had traces of heroin in his bloodstream.

Pathologists detected the opiate in Christopher Hartley's bloodstream but could not immediately tell if it was linked to his death.

Detective Superintendent Paul Buschini said: "Traces of heroin have been found although at this stage it has not been possible to evaluate the concentration of the drug in his bloodstream nor whether in fact it was a fatal dose.

"That will take some time to establish," he added.

Christopher's body was discovered cut into parts on Tuesday in a bin outside a seaside hotel in Blackpool.

The 17-year-old had been working there last summer but had lost his job at the end of the holiday season.

He had become involved with drugs, police said, but was not a hardened user.

Police are still seeking permission to continue to hold a 29-year-old man for questioning in connection with the death.

The man was arrested in Salford, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday following an anonymous telephone call.

Police are anxious to trace the owner of the black Puma bag in which the body parts were found.

They also want to find the clothes he was wearing, probably a red and black lumberjack-type shirt, a blue jacket and Nike trainers.

Superintendent Buschini said police had already spoken to more than 100 people but still wanted to hear from witnesses or anyone who knew the teenager.
 

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