POLICE investigating the murder of a man whose body was found buried in a Hampshire forest are due to complete their search of the woodland today after they received scores of offers of help.
Snow and ice hampered the early stages of the fingertip search for clues to the killing of Lee Horrell, 24, of Queen Street, Portsea.
His body was found in a shallow grave at Upperford Copse, Heath Road, in the Forest of Bere, near Wickham, Fareham, after Christmas.
An appeal for witnesses to the killing led to 20 or more people contacting police saying they saw something suspicious happening in the forest in the first half of November.
Detectives also want to know the identity of the man with Mr Horrell when he was last seen alive in a white Ford Escort van on Saturday, November 11, at Hilsea Lido, Portsmouth.
Police believe the multiple and severe nature of the wounds he died from show Mr Horrell probably died at the hands of several people.
Detective Superintendent Steve Watts, leading the inquiry, confirmed many potential witnesses had come forward and said statements would be taken.
He added: "I suspect because of the nature of the injuries sustained by Mr Horrell, they were inflicted by several people, but that is pure speculation.''
The grave site has been exhaustively searched and is due to be abandoned as a scene of crime.
Police still want to hear from any witnesses and can be contacted on 0845 045 4545.
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