Police will today examine a car to look for clues over the
death of Auckland man Shalvin Prasad, who is believed to have
been killed before being set alight.
The 21-year-old's Toyota RAV 4 was yesterday found by a
member of the public outside an industrial building on
Plunket Ave, Papatoetoe.
The vehicle was 27km away from where his scorched body was
found in a scrub fire near McRobbie Rd in Kingseat on
Thursday morning.
It has been seized and "will be subject to an extensive
forensic examination", police said.
Detectives were trying to establish how long the vehicle had
been parked in the area and have appealed for information
from nearby business owners.
CCTV footage from businesses on Plunket Ave will also be
investigated.
Yesterday would have been Mr Prasad's 22nd birthday and his
family has asked for privacy as they prepare for his funeral.
Police believe Mr Prasad was killed by the fire and an
accelerant was used.
His brother, Pravin Prasad, yesterday released a statement
from the family appealing for information about his brother's
killers.
"Family and friends are the centre of his world. He loves to
play soccer and enjoyed his job. He is probably the most
innocent and naive 21-year-old you could meet," he said.
Area inquiries completed by police have also established that
two vehicles left McRobbie Rd at high speed about 6.30am on
Thursday morning just prior to the arrival of the first
police vehicle.
Both vehicles carried on straight through the intersection
into Kingseat Rd travelling in the Pukekohe direction.
One vehicle was described as blue/silver in colour and the
other was white.
Anyone with information should call police on 09 295 0311 or
Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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