Police examine victim's vehicle

Shalvin Prasad's body was found in Kingseat and his car was found in Papatoetoe. Photo / Supplied

Family appeals for information after RAV 4 discovered in Papatoetoe.

Officers will today examine a car to look for clues over the death of Shalvin Prasad, who is believed to have been killed before being set alight.

The 21-year-old's Toyota RAV 4 was yesterday found by a member of the public outside an industrial building on Plunket Ave, Papatoetoe.

The vehicle was 27km away from where his scorched body was found in a scrub fire near McRobbie Rd in Kingseat on Thursday morning.

It has been seized and "will be subject to an extensive forensic examination", police said.

Detectives were trying to establish how long the vehicle had been parked in the area and have appealed for information from nearby business owners.

CCTV footage from businesses on Plunket Ave will also be investigated.

Yesterday would have been Mr Prasad's 22nd birthday and his family has asked for privacy as they prepare for his funeral.

Police believe Mr Prasad was killed by the fire and an accelerant was used.

His brother, Pravin Prasad, yesterday released a statement from the family appealing for information about his brother's killers.

"Family and friends are the centre of his world. He loves to play soccer and enjoyed his job. He is probably the most innocent and naive 21-year-old you could meet," he said.

Area inquiries completed by police have also established that two vehicles left McRobbie Rd at high speed about 6.30am on Thursday morning just prior to the arrival of the first police vehicle.

Both vehicles carried on straight through the intersection into Kingseat Rd travelling in the Pukekohe direction.

One vehicle was described as blue/silver in colour and the other was white.

Anyone with information should call police on 09 295 0311 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.