Man found dead in burnt-out car named as Agim Hoxha

Police have named a murder victim who was found dead in his car which had been set alight after his death.

Crane driver Agim Hoxha, 29, from Cranbury Place, Southampton, was found in the burnt-out Mercedes in Chilworth Drove between 1am and 1.30am on Tuesday April 10.

Officers believe the keen footballer was dead before the fire took hold.

His family has paid tribute and said his death would leave a big hole.

Detectives are still trying to trace the Mercedes' movement in the days before Mr Hoxha's murder.

They have been given extra time until later this morning to question a 36-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder.

Anyone who saw the silver two-door C200 CDI, registration BW53 FZH, over the Easter period is asked to get in contact with police.

Detectives are also trying to trace a second car which is believed to have belonged to the victim.

Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Farrell, who is leading the investigation, said: "Agim had a second car and we are trying to trace this as we believe it may be important to our investigation.

"It is a grey Ford Mondeo Zetec TDCI with the registration HY58 HYL.

"I believe this has probably been parked in a street in Southampton somewhere and I am asking people to look out for it and to call my team if they see it or know where it is as it may help us solve this horrendous crime.

"I am also keen to hear from anyone who saw Agim in the Easter period before his death."

A statement from the victim's close family said: "Agim was a loving family member who was friendly and also made friends easily.

"He had lived in the UK for around 12 years and had spent around eight years living in Southampton and the rest in London.

"Agim was a crane driver and worked on lots of building sites in the area. He was a good and hard worker.

"Outside of work he liked to socialise, go to the gym and regularly played football in a Sunday league club.

"He did not deserve anything like this to happen to him and we cannot understand why someone would do this.

"We would urge anyone who knows anything about what happened to Agim to call the police as soon as possible so they can find who did this quickly and bring him to justice.

"Losing him has left a big hole in our family and he will be sorely missed."

PA