Murder squad detectives today refused to rule out a link between the brutal death of a Chinese man in Colchester and Triad gang warfare.
Officers today said they were looking at all possibilities as they probed the violent death of Hok Wan Leung, 34, an unemployed chef from the north London area.
It is thought the man could have been on his way to an illegal gambling den in Colchester when he was attacked at the Middleborough roundabout in the town centre at 2am yesterday.
A baseball bat, a machete and another metal weapon were recovered at the scene. It is thought Mr Leung was repeatedly battered around the head and body.
He was one of four men in a black Vauxhall Tigra which was stopped at the roundabout following a high speed car chase along the A12, involving at least four other cars.
Witnesses said fighting had broken out earlier when the cars had stopped on the A12 at Easthorpe.
But the chase started again soon afterwards and ended when the Vauxhall Tigra was rammed off the road in Colchester town centre at the roundabout.
Mr Leung was brutally attacked and left for dead on grass in the middle of the roundabout. He was taken to Colchester General Hospital where he died two hours later.
The three other men managed to flee, though one was treated for minor injuries.
Part of the Middleborough roundabout was sealed off for most of Sunday and Balkerne Hill and Westway were also closed to traffic.
The damaged car remained at the scene as forensic teams searched for clues.
Police will be scouring CCTV footage in the search for evidence.
Police guard the victim's car.
(Right) Det Supt Lee Weavers at a press conference yesterday
Pictures: CLARE BANKS
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