Murder investigation launched after man’s body found in burning car in Blantyre

Detectives have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a 36 year-old man in Blantyre a week ago. Around 7.55pm on Monday 11 February 2019, police were called to a report of a car on fire in Greenhall Park in Blantyre. The fire was extinguished and the body of 36 year-old Rafal Michal Lyko was found inside.

Detective Chief Inspector Davie Scott is leading this investigation. He said: “We are issuing a photo of Rafal and are hoping that anyone who remembers seeing him will contact us.

“We have had a good response from our appeals to date, but we still need to piece together Rafal’s last known movements. He arrived at Edinburgh Airport on Saturday 9th February from his home in Poland.

''From there he travelled to the Tayside area to visit relatives. Officers are working hard to gather as much information on Rafal’s death and work out where he then travelled to after that. We are keen to speak to anyone who has any knowledge of Rafal’s movements after Saturday 9th February.

“The Mercedes GLE car he was found in is undergoing extensive forensic examination and officers are continuing to track it from when it was stolen from the Oxgangs Road area of Edinburgh on Thursday 24th January 2019 to when it was seen in South Lanarkshire on Monday 11 February 2019.

“On that Monday morning it was seen near East Kilbride town centre. We believe the vehicle was later in the Halfway area of Cambuslang before it was found on fire near Greenhall Park, Blantyre.

“I would urge anyone who recognises Rafal, or who saw him after Saturday the 9th of February to contact us. Any small piece of information on his movements or the car involved could be vital to our investigation”

Any details can be passed to Police through 101 quoting reference number 3663 of 11th February 2019. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.