DETECTIVES leading a high-profile murder investigation have vowed to “leave no stone unturned” as they aim to track down a missing phone.

Essex Police launched an investigation into the death of 22-year-old Bako Azad Sheikha on September 12 after his body was found in Distillery Lane.

Gazette:

Detectives are continuing to piece together the circumstances around Bako’s death and now looking to locate an Apple iPhone 11.

The device, which is of an unknown colour, is believed to have been discarded on the A12 between Colchester and Ipswich between 8.30am and 9.15am on September 12.

Detective chief inspector Ant Alcock, who is leading the investigation, said: “The work of the investigating team does not stop at the point of charge.

“We work incredibly hard to leave no stone unturned and present clear and specific evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service for use throughout the court proceedings.

“As part of our enquiries, we believe there is a phone outstanding which we would like to locate.

“I would appeal to anyone who stopped in a layby on the road and perhaps saw an iPhone or has even picked it up to get in touch with us.

“We would like to locate it as quickly as possible. We believe it will help us to pursue a number of lines enquiries.”

Gazette:

Following his death, many people within the city’s Kurdish community paid tribute to Bako, who arrived in the UK as a youngster from Iraq.

Farhad Mohammad, who runs Queen Street restaurant Arbil, told the Gazette he hadn’t stopped crying since he heard of his friend’s death.

He said: “It hurt me so much, he had been here a lot of times. He was such a nice guy and it is not just me and Kurdish people who think this, those of all cultures liked him.

“Every day since I heard, I have cried. Bako was such a good guy.

“He was always helping anyone as much as he could and there was nothing bad anyone could say about him.”

Rakar Rahimi, 22, of no fixed abode, was charged with murder on September 15.

He appeared in Colchester Magistrates’ Court a day later and is next due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on November 11.

Anyone with information which could help the police with their investigation can contact Essex Police by calling 101 and citing incident number 82 of September 12.