Detectives investigating a murder in Ilford have formally identified the victim
Detectives investigating a murder in Ilford have formally identified the victim. Ionut Manea, 38, of no fixed abode, died in hospital on Wednesday, 19 June following a fire by the A406 in Ilford. He was identified via familial DNA. His next-of-kin have been informed. A second victim, aged 43, remains in critical condition in an Essex hospital. Both victims are Romanian nationals but of no relation to each other. They were both believed to be homeless. Officers are continuing to appeal for more information following the incident in Ilford in order to uncover the circumstances around how the fire began and a possible motive behind it. Homicide detectives from Specialist Crime are urging any members of the public who can provide information that may help to come forward. Officers were originally called at around 11.45pm on Tuesday, 18 June to reports of a fire on land next to the southbound carriageway of the A406. London Fire Brigade (LFB) attended alongside officers and London Ambulance Service (LAS). The two victims were found living in a temporary homeless campsite. Ionut suffered almost 100 per cent burns on his body. He was taken to an east London hospital but died from his injuries a few hours later. The second victim was taken to a specialist burns unit at an Essex hospital where he remains in a critical condition. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine, leading the investigation, said: "If you know anything at all, however insignificant you think it might be, we really need to hear from you as it might be the piece of information that we need to understand how and why this terrible tragedy has occurred. "Both victims were well known to their community, we implore that those who have any idea about what happened, come forward and share it with us and give our detectives the best possible chance of figuring out the circumstances behind Ionut’s death. "Did you see these two men on the verge when you were driving past, or do you have relevant dash cam footage? If so, please contact us – this was a horrendous incident which has caused one man to lose his life, and another to suffer horrific injuries." Anyone with information should call 101 or the incident line number 020 8345 3865 quoting either Operation Rochefort or 9090/18JUN.
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