Headless body named as traveller

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

Traveller John Finney, who was 42, was abducted from his Mitsubishi Pajero in the county 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.

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

"This is a very traumatic time for John's family, our thoughts are with them"
Det Ch Insp Bill Jephson

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.

Det Ch Insp Jephson, from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "This was a targeted attack and while investigations to trace those responsible are well under way, I would urge any witnesses to come forward.

"This is a very traumatic time for John's family, our thoughts are with them and we would ask that their privacy be respected at this time.

"I would also like to once again reassure the Ickleford community that this was not a random attack and that they should feel safe to continue their daily routine," he said.

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.

Det Ch Insp Jephson said: "I am also appealing to people living in Ickleford or anyone who has passed through the area in the last two weeks and believes they have seen anything suspicious.

"Or if they have any information to assist with our investigation, to contact the incident room."

Police said further forensic examinations of the body were due to take place.

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