Speculation body found in Canterbury was burnt

Police scouring a series of waterways nearby for clues after a body was found. Photo / Kurt Bayer

Police investigating the death of a man whose body was found on a rural Canterbury road have contacted local petrol stations asking about small sales of fuel.

The man's body was found on Drain Road in Doyleston on Monday morning, and while police said the death is suspicious they are yet to confirm the man's identity.

Police have contacted all Challenge Petrol stations in Canterbury, asking them to capture and retain any receipts of purchases of fuel and amounts which are less than $30.

It follows speculation the man's body was burnt.

Police are expected to release further information about the case this afternoon.

A homicide investigation was launched after the discovery of the body yesterday.

It is understood the man died a violent death.

His body was found by a group of Filipino fishermen who reported the grim discovery to Christchurch police yesterday morning.

A local, who did not wish to be named, noticed a brown Holden stationwagon twice stop outside his Lake Rd property at the weekend.

It struck him as unusual because it was on a bend.

The first time the car stopped, they spent about five minutes there. The second time was a quick stop and go, he said.

He didn't see the vehicle's occupants.