Hunt for clues over teen dad found murdered in car on moors
DETECTIVES are still trying to piece together the last moments of a teenage dad found dead in an abandoned car off the M62.
Najeebullah Nekzad’s body was discovered in a grey Fiat Punto on a country road near West Yorkshire moorland a year ago this weekend.
The 19-year-old takeaway worker, from Ashton-under-Lyne, died of neck injuries. Police quickly launched a murder investigation when his body was found by a PCSO.
But 12 months later, officers have admitted they still know very little about Mr Nekzad – and have launched a fresh appeal for information.
Det Chief Supt Pat Twiggs, leading the investigation, says officers are keen to find out more about his personal life.
“Najeebullah was a young man with his life ahead of him,” he said.
“He was a husband and father and was known in the local Ashton community, working as a delivery driver for the takeaway. We believe that finding out more about his personal life could be the key breakthrough we need in this case but we really know very little about Najeebullah - anyone who has information about him could help to make all the difference.”
Mr Nekzad was originally from Afghanistan and still had links to the country, police say.
Officers believe he liked to spend time walking on the moors and was also known by the names Zargiya
Lewanya, Yousaf Nekzad and Armanii Zargaii.
His body was found by a PCSO on a remote moorland road shortly before 11.10am on Saturday August 31, 2019.
The grey Fiat Punto had been left near the old Nont Sarah’s Hotel, on New Hey Road, Huddersfield.
Detectives have since established that Najeebullah was last seen leaving work – the Chick Corner takeaway on Old Street, Ashton – in the early hours of Wednesday, August 28.
He died of neck injuries and his death is being treated as a murder enquiry.
After the discovery of Mr Nekzad’s body last year, officers launched an appeal to trace three potential witnesses who were seen in the area between 9.50am and 10.10 am on August 28. Officers no longer need to speak to them as part of the enquiry.
Three men aged 36, 28 and 19 who were arrested on suspicion of murder during the enquiry have been released under investigation.
Det Chief Supt Twiggs added: “We know he came from Afghanistan originally and still had links there as well as being well-known on social media – Facebook messenger in particular, but also WhatsApp.
“His social media contacts and friends may have known him by a different name or thought he was older than the age we have for him.”
A dedicated mobile number has been set up for anyone with information about Mr Nekzad’s death. Anyone with information can call, leave a message or text on 07787 415 174.