Police Renew Appeal In Epping Forest Body Find Investigation

Police investigating the discovery of the body of Hidir Aksakal, known as 'Cetin', in Epping Forest have renewed an appeal for information.

On Wednesday, 9 September police were called at 19:05 to Epping Forest after a member of the public reported having found a body. The body had been partially buried, close to Hollow Ponds along Whipps Cross Road.

The victim has now been formally identified as Mr Aksakal, aged 53, a Turkish national, who lived in Margate, Kent. He was also known as Musa Yakut, but most commonly by the nickname 'Boxer Cetin'.

A post-mortem examination was carried out at Walthamstow Mortuary on Friday, 11 September - the cause of death was determined as gunshot wounds.

The last known sighting of Cetin was in Green Lanes in the early hours of Monday, 17 August, an area of London that Cetin had strong links to. 

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Piscopo, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "Our investigation is ongoing and we are exploring a number of lines of enquiry. I would specifically like to ask for the help of the local community in the Green Lanes area. Cetin was well known locally, and had previously lived in the area.

"He was out and about in the area during the evening of Sunday, 16 August, and the last confirmed sighting of him was in the early hours of Monday, 17 August. 

"If you saw him that Sunday night, or any time after, then I would like to hear from you. 

"We are building a picture of Cetin's movements up to that evening and someone may have vital information. We are working on the basis that Cetin was murdered shortly after the last sighting of him.

"Cetin's body was found three-and-a-half weeks later, and some efforts had been made to conceal his body. 

"Hollow Ponds is a busy and popular local beauty spot, with a café and a boating lake. It is also surrounded by a number of busy roads, including Whipps Cross Road. We would like to speak to anyone who may have been in that area between Monday, 17 August and Wednesday, 9 September, and may have witnessed any unusual or suspicious activity, to come and speak to us.

"Cetin did have a criminal history, including links to other criminals, and as part of our investigation we are exploring this. I would stress, that it remains one line of enquiry.

"Anyone who thinks they may have information can contact us, your information will be treated in confidence."

There have been no arrests at this stage.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the incident room at Barking on 020 8345 3715; or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestopers-uk.org

(MH/CD)