Evaldas Svolkinas was found dead on Sunday. Picture: Met Police

Community reeling after Harold Hill carpenter’s murder

by Ian Weinfass and Safira Ali Thursday, December 20, 2012
6:00 PM

»Police launched a murder investigation this week after a man’s body was found in a stream.

Mr Svolkinas was found by a dog walker

Evaldas Svolkinas, also known as Elvis, died from severe head injuries.

Residents close to Carter’s Brook on the Harold Hill/Noak Hill borer, where his body was found, and in nearby Dorking Rise, where the Lithuanian national had lived for four years, were reeling this week.

The 34-year-old’s body was discovered in the stream near Wincanton Road at around 10.25am on Sunday.

Wedding

He was last seen at 6.15am on Thursday of last week in Whitchurch Road, Harold Hill.

He failed to show up for work that day and was reported missing on Friday.

Keith Phillips said: “You couldn’t ask for a better neighbour, I would love him to have been part of my family, as a brother.

“His father only died a few weeks ago and he had visited his mother back home for the funeral. It’s a tragedy, you don’t expect your kids to go before you.”

Mr Phillips added that Elvis was hoping to save money so he and his girlfriend could have a big wedding.

There was shock, too, in the street near where his body was found.

Maddy Wilson, 38, who works at Tuggs Tatts tattoo parlour in Whitchurch Road, said: “It’s not something you expect to see so close to you, and he was so young.

“When you hear something like this it does make you scared about what could happen, and I am worried for my children’s safety.”

Silvio Radu, 31, of Whitchurch Road, takes his dog for a walk along the stream every day. He said: “It’s a bit scary. I have been here for four years and have never had any trouble. It is usually so quiet here. I wouldn’t expect something like that to happen. I might start walking my dog the other way and change my route.”

Police are anxious to find out where Mr Svolkinas was between Thursday morning and when his body was found on Sunday. He was wearing grey combat-style trousers, a dark blue coat and blue trainers.

Anyone with information should contact 020 8345 3734 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.