Police investigating the disappearance of Justin Henry say they have recovered a body from the boot of a car.
The 34-year-old had been reported missing on 16 October – and was last seen on CCTV at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Croydon late the night before.
Police found a body in a red Nissan Almera car on Tuesday – one day after officers located the vehicle in Purley, south London.
A post-mortem examination has been carried out, but no formal cause of death was established. The identity of the body is yet to be formally confirmed.
Mr Henry’s family have been kept informed about developments.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Due to the need to preserve forensic evidence, officers conducted a careful and methodical examination of the scene.
“However, on Tuesday, we confirmed that a body was in the car and we spoke to Justin’s family later that day. We are waiting to formally confirm the identity of the body.
“My heart goes out to his family who have suffered weeks of anxiously waiting for news. Justin’s family are understandably very upset.
“While we have charged two people with Justin’s murder, we would still like anyone who has any information of the red Nissan’s movements in the days following Justin’s disappearance to call police.”
Officers are working to establish Mr Henry’s movements on Sunday 15 October into the early hours of Monday morning.
He was last seen in person at his partner’s address in Brixton on Sunday evening. At 9.50pm he was captured on CCTV buying food at the McDonald’s drive-thru on London Road in Croydon.
Police believe Mr Henry then drove to nearby Waddon New Road where his vehicle, a silver Mercedes E Class, remained for around two-and-a-half hours.
The car was later located on 16 October in Kingswood Drive, near Sydenham Hill.
It is unclear who was driving the vehicle when it arrived at Kingswood Drive shortly before 1am on Monday, 16 October, due to an indistinct CCTV image of the driver, but Justin’s family say that it was not him.
Police have carried out forensic examinations of Mr Henry’s car and an address in Croydon, as well as examining CCTV and making phone inquiries.
Two men, 29 and 28, have been charged in connection with the investigation.
A 27-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of kidnapping on 18 October. She has been bailed pending further enquiries to January 2024.
Earlier on Thursday, detectives released pictures of “distinctive” jewellery Mr Henry had been wearing.
His family said he was wearing a Rolex watch, three Cartier bracelets and a diamond ring before he went missing.
Mr Henry’s mother Helen also said she was “asking anyone who can help us to end our agony”.
“Our family are broken and we cannot begin to heal until we get closure. I, my family, and the community are all devastated and we desperately want to find Justin,” she said.
“Justin’s son is only 11-years-old. He wants to know what has happened to his daddy and I am afraid that unless someone comes forward, he will never find out.
“Please look at the jewellery Justin was wearing and if you know what has happened to it, call police.
“We are asking anyone with information to help us, please do not turn away.”