Body found in lay-by triggers murder inquiry

A murder inquiry was launched yesterday after the body of a man was discovered in a lay-by. The man, who has not been identified, died from a single gunshot wound to the head, a post-mortem examination by a Home Office pathologist showed. He was found in the lay-by just south of Silton crossroads on the A19 eight miles north of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, around midnight by a tanker driver who had pulled in to check his vehicle.

The dead man is described as a Sikh, aged about 40, with distinctive long black beard. He was wearing a yellow turban and a dark jacket and trousers. A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire police said no vehicle was found at the scene and no weapon had yet been recovered. Police appealed for anyone who was travelling on the A19 or who stopped in any lay-by on the A19 or the A168 between 10pm and midnight to contact their nearest police station.