Suspected murder victim named

A man whose body is at the centre of a murder inquiry has been named by police after he was found on farmland north of Framlingham.

Police have identified Jurijs Baklasovs, a 43-year-old Latvian national who was staying in Ipswich.

A 36-year-old Ipswich man, who is also believed to be a Latvian national, arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident remains in custody at Ipswich police station where he will be interviewed by detectives.

Today police have been conducting searches of the farmland where the body was found early yesterday afternoon and have also searched a house in Ipswich as part of ongoing enquiries.

Officers are continuing to ask anyone who may have seen a vehicle or any suspicious activity in the area where the body was found in the past few days, particularly since Sunday 22 December.

Police were today continuing to search the area where Mr Baklasovs' corpse was discovered.

A Suffolk Constabulary spokeswoman declined to confirm if the alleged victim, who is believed to have been found with a bag on his head, also lived at the same address.

Mr Baklasovs was found off the B1120 at New Road, not far from Brabling Green, around 12.45pm.

Detectives arrested the suspect in Ipswich at 10.25pm yesterday on suspicion of murder.

A post mortem examination has revealed Mr Baklasovs died as a result of a serious assault but the exact cause of death is unknown until further tests are carried out.

His body was found by a woman walking along the single-track road.

Police have declined to confirm reports that Mr Baklasovs had been found with a bag over his head.

Residents in Framlingham have expressed their shock at the news.

Wallace Rose, of New Road, said: “It's not what you expect to hear in a place like this.

“We've seen police milling about throughout the afternoon and wandered what was going on.

“To hear that somebody has died is horrible - especially near Christmas and in freezing cold weather.

“It doesn't bear thinking about. My thoughts are with the victim's family right now.”

Ivan Ross, also of New Road, added: “What a terrible thing to happen before Christmas - I'm absolutely stunned. I have friends who go dog walking in that area and I prey to god it's not one of them.

“This is a quiet town and the nearby villages are close-knit places where everyone knows each other.”

Anyone who has been in this area in the past few days and saw anything - people or vehicles - in the vicinity is asked to call Suffolk police on 01473 613500.