Body of missing man Neill Buchel found in Dagenham lake

Divers searching the water (Image: Archant)

This morning, the detectives confirmed that the discovered body parts are of the 39-year-old man who went missing from Braintree Road, Dagenham, on March 13.

Police have said that he was involved in an altercation with a group of men in Heath Park, Dagenham, earlier that day.

His estranged partner reported him missing five days later after he failed to contact his two daughters which she said was particularly out of character.

The Met’s Marine Support Unit had been trawling the lake since the leg was discovered on April 1 in the White Hart Lakes, off Chase Road.

An incident room has been opened at the Homicide and Major Crime Command in Barking under the control of Det Ch Insp Chris Jones.

He said: “I would like to ask anybody who has used the lakes recently if they have noticed anything unusual. In particular any local anglers who may have seen any suspicious activity or any new faces not usually present at the lakes.”

The leg was discovered by a resident, who did not want to be named, in the nature reserve after he was called over by a fisherman who had seen “something unusual”.

He said: “I got there and this thing that looked like part of a pig was lying on the verge half out of the water but I couldn’t tell what it was so I got a stick and flipped it over to find hair and a tattoo on the other side. It was disgusting.

“The stench of rotting flesh was really strong – a couple of the people there were heaving. It looked as if it had been crudely hacked at with a saw.”

Three men, aged 35, 41 and 35, were arrested over the murder investigation but have been bailed to a date later this month.

Anyone who can assist the police should contact the incident room on 0208 345 3734 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.