Detectives identified a young Brighton man whose severely-burnt body was found at a golf course.

A DNA sample sent for analysis has provided a match on the national database for 37-year-old Stefan Welch.

A post-mortem examination showed he probably died from a blow to the head before he was found by golfers as they walked between the 17th and 18th holes at the Dyke Golf Club on the outskirts of Brighton.

Detectives from Sussex Police’s Major Crime Branch believe he had been murdered elsewhere before being taken to the golf club on the South Downs and set alight.

Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Bowles, who is leading the murder inquiry, said Mr Welch lived at the Phase One hostel in Oriental Place, Brighton, and officers are working to establish his last movements.

He said: “A DNA sample sent for analysis at the weekend has provided a match on the national database for Stefan Paul Welch, a 37-year-old man from Brighton.

“At much the same time as the match was established, we received a call from someone who recognised the description we released yesterday, in particular the link between the tattoos and false teeth.

Initial suspicions that Mr Welch had been mutilated proved false following detailed examination of the scene.

Officers a believe a foot was removed by an animal as it dragged the body a few feet from the point at which his body was set alight.

Mr Bowles said Mr Welch had been subject to a violent attack and his killer had acted to cover up the crime.

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2010, All Rights Reserved.

  • Email to a friend
  • Print this page