The funeral for 21-year-old Shalvin Prasad, who's body was found burning in south Auckland last week, will be held today.
Mr Prasad's body was found by a person walking their dog early on Thursday morning in Kingseat, Auckland.
Yesterday, police made a breakthrough in the homicide case when they discovered his Toyota Rav 4 on Plunket Avenue - an industrial road in Manukau - half-an-hour's drive from the crime scene.
Detective Inspector Dave Lynch is trying to establish whether it was one of two cars seen speeding from the scene.
“The vehicle's currently undergoing an extensive forensic examination. We just need to wait and see what potential that has for us and we’re also doing our best to establish time frames around how ling the vehicle’s been there.”
Police want to hear from any business owners in the area who might have CCTV footage.
Mr Prasad left his Dannemora home on Wednesday night, and told his parents he was driving to Manukau to play pool.
When he didn't return by 10:30pm, his parents reported him missing.
A member of the public discovered his body on fire around 6.30am the next morning.
Mr Prasad was the youngest child in his family. His brother Pravin released a statement about his sibling.
"He is full of life. Family and friends are the centre of his world. He loves to play soccer and enjoyed his job.”
He worked at PAK'nSAVE as a produce assistant in Botany Downs.
Yesterday would have been Mr Prasad's 22nd birthday.
3 News / RadioLIVE
source: newshub archive
