Body on canal boat identified by police (From Oxford Mail)

Body on canal boat identified by police

4:28pm Monday 17th December 2012 in News By Ben Wilkinson, Crime Reporter. Call me on (01865) 425427

THE body of a man found on a burnt-out Oxford canal boat last month was today confirmed as 49-year-old Kevin Pryor.

Mr Pryor’s Lady of the Lake boat was destroyed by fire on Friday, November 16.

But the remains found on board could not be formally identified after initial tests.

The fire happened in Wolvercote at the canal by the Peartree roundabout at about 11pm.

Police initially said they believed Mr Pryor had been killed in the fire as he had not been seen since the blaze.

A post-mortem examination failed to formally identify his remains but police said he had been positively identified after “further enquires”.

Det Insp Mike Lynch, who is investigating the incident, said Mr Pryor’s death was not being treated as suspicious.

He said: “We are still awaiting the results of further forensic tests to establish the cause of Mr Pryor’s death, but I can confirm we are not treating his death as suspicious.

“My thoughts are very much with Mr Pryor’s family and friends, who have been coming to terms with his tragic death.”

Anyone with information about the fire can call the police enquiry number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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