09 November 2023 , 21:26
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Police investigating the disappearance of a missing dad in south London have found a body in the boot of a car.
Officers located a Red Nissan Almera car on Monday evening, parked near Nicholass Court in Dale Road, Purley, near Croydon, in the search for Justin Henry. The family of Justin Henry, 34, who has been missing since October 15, have been informed, but formal identification has yet to be completed.
Two men, aged 29 and 28, have been charged with Mr Henry's murder, while a 27-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of kidnapping has been bailed pending further enquiries. The Metropolitan Police said the car was treated as a crime scene on Monday to preserve evidence, with the body located on Tuesday, and that a post-mortem examination was carried out but no cause of death was established.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb, of the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: "Due to the need to preserve forensic evidence, officers conducted a careful and methodical examination of the scene. However, on Tuesday, we confirmed that a body was in the car and we spoke to Justin's family later that day. We are waiting to confirm the identity of the body formally. My heart goes out to his family who has suffered weeks of anxiously waiting for news. Justin's family are understandably very upset and we would ask the media to respect their privacy at this very difficult time."
He added: "While we have charged two people with Justin's murder, we would still like anyone who has any information of the red Nissan's movements in the days following Justin's disappearance to call police - we still need and ask for the public's help."
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Mr Henry, who has links to the SE23/Forest Hill area, was last seen in person at his partner's address in Brixton on October 15 and was reported missing a day later. He was wearing distinctive jewellery of a Rolex watch, three Cartier bracelets and a diamond ring before he disappeared, and was last seen on CCTV buying food at a McDonald's drive-thru restaurant on London Road in Croydon at about 9.50pm on October 15.
Detectives believe that, after leaving the McDonald's drive-thru, he drove to nearby Waddon New Road where his silver Mercedes E Class remained for around two-and-a-half hours. The Mercedes was found on Monday, October 16 in Kingswood Drive, SE19. It is unclear who was driving the vehicle when it arrived there just before 1am on that day due to an indistinct CCTV image of the driver, but Mr Henry's family have said it was not him.
Officers have conducted forensic examinations of an address in Croydon and Mr Henry's car, as well as extensive CCTV and phone inquiries.
Police appealed for anyone with information to call the force on 101 or contact on Twitter/X @MetCC quoting Operation Ashgulf or CAD 1523/02NOV. To remain anonymous contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.