Police have found a body in the boot of a car believed to be that of Justin Henry, 34, who went missing nearly a month ago.

The Met found a red Nissan Almera car parked near Nicholas Court in Dale Road in Purley on Monday night.

Police said the car was being treated as a crime scene. They found the body in the boot the following day.

Officers are working to carry out a formal identification.

Henry was last seen on October 15 at a McDonald’s drive-thru in London Road, Croydon at around 10pm.

He was reported missing the next day.

Henry’s family have been informed of the developments.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb said: “Due to the need to preserve forensic evidence, officers conducted a careful and methodical examination of the scene.

“However, on Tuesday, we confirmed that a body was in the car and we spoke to Justin’s family later that day. We are waiting to formally confirm the identity of the body.”

“My heart goes out to his family who have suffered weeks of anxiously waiting for news.”

“While we have charged two people with Justin’s murder, we would still like anyone who has any information of the red Nissan’s movements in the days following Justin’s disappearance to call police – we still need and ask for the public’s help.”

Enquiries led officers to believe Mr Henry drove from the Croydon McDonald’s to nearby Waddon New Road where his vehicle, a silver Mercedes E Class, remained for approximately two-and-a-half hours.

The Mercedes was later located on October 16 in Kingswood Drive, Dulwich.

The Met could not identify who drove the vehicle when it arrived at Kingswood Drive shortly before 1am October 16, due to indistinct CCTV image of the driver, but Henry’s family said it was not him.

Officers have conducted forensic examinations of an address in Croydon and Henry’s car, as well as extensive CCTV and phone inquiries.

Two individuals, Louis Benjamin, 29, of Waddon New Road, Croydon and Jamal Ali-Ricards, 28, of Thornton Heath, have been charged with one count of murder.

A 27-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping. She has since been bailed pending further enquiries, to a date in mid-January 2024.