A young man was murdered before his body was taken to a golf course on the edge of Brighton and Hove and set on fire.
His body was dumped and burnt in the past few days – probably since Thursday afternoon, according to detectives.
The mutilated body was found yesterday just before noon by golfers at The Dyke Golf Club in Devil’s Dyke Road, across the road from the Devil’s Dyke.
One of his feet was missing although detectives believe that this may have been torn off by an animal after the body was dumped in undergrowth between the 17th and 18th holes.
Sussex Police said that the body was removed from the scene overnight and post-mortem tests were taking place this afternoon in Worthing.
The man was described as short, slight, dark-haired and heavily tattooed.
The Home Office pathologist trying to identify the cause of death is likely to spend several hours examining the man’s body.
The results of those tests are unlikely to be known until tomorrow.
The officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Bowles, said: “We are treating this as a murder and are fairly certain that the man was brought to the scene having been killed elsewhere.
“There are injuries to the body but I will not speculate on the cause of these until after the post mortem.
“Initial forensic examination suggests that the burning took place at the scene and we would like to hear from anyone who may have seen a fire or smoke near to the golf club at any time between Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning.
“I should like to clarify that while the body was missing a foot we now believe this to have been caused by animal activity after the man’s body was dumped.
“The body had been dragged a few feet from the site of the fire and we think this was when the foot went missing.
“The man was quite short, slight of build and had dark hair.
“It’s very difficult to tell because of the severe burning but we think that he was in his late teens or twenties.
“From areas of the body not affected so badly by the fire we can see that he was quite heavily tattooed and one tattoo on his shoulder looks like it has been started but not completed.
“If this description fits anyone you know who has gone missing in the last few days, I would urge you to contact Sussex Police immediately.
“A DNA sample has been submitted for analysis and we should have a result within a couple of days.
“But this will only confirm an identity if he had previously had a DNA sample taken.
“It is vital that we identify the victim as soon as possible.”
Sussex Police urged anyone who thinks that they know the man or has any other information to call 0845 6070999 or to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
