Evaldas Svolkinas's body was found in Carter's Brook last month. Picture: Met Police

Distinctive rucksack may hold clue to Harold Hill carpenter’s murder

by Ian Weinfass, Senior reporter Thursday, January 24, 2013
6:00 PM

The whereabouts of a distinctive rucksack could provide valuable information to help solve a murder.

The rucksack has three small silver images of 'power tools' at the top. Picture: Met Police

The body of Evaldas Svolkinas was found in Carter’s Brook on the Harold Hill/Noak Hill border on Sunday, December 16.

Detectives believe that the 34-year-old Lithuanian carpenter may have been targeted due to gambling debts.

Since he went missing on his way to central London on Thursday, December 13, his work bag has not been found.

The rucksack has three small silver pictures of power tools and the word “Festool” embossed in a black section towards the bottom.

See map below

Owed money

Det Chief Insp Chris Jones, who is leading the investigation, told the Recorder: “We’re really trying to track that bag. While it isn’t unique, it is an unusual make of rucksack and that’s where we’re focusing at the moment.”

He said: “An area I’m exploring is that he had borrowed money to fund his gambling. He may have also diverted money away from paying people he had subcontracted to work for him.”

Mr Svolkinas, who lived in Dorking Rise, Harold Hill, owed money to several people.

See the key above

He died from severe head injuries and was well known in the Lithuanian community. Mr Jones said: “From where we are focusing, we don’t think there should be any concern for the local community and officers are working hard to address concerns in that area.

“I want to take this opportunity to appeal to the Lithuanian community who may have information, or may know someone who does, to come forward.

“If it’s a case that they have any concerns, they can be assured that they can speak to us in confidence.”

Cllr Keith Darvill (Labour, Heaton) said: “It’s very disturbing that this can happen in the area. I hope that the perpetrators are brought to justice as soon as possible.”

n Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8345 3734 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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