Body found in former bank building identified as missing person, police say
A man whose body was found in a former bank has been identified as a missing person.
Police named the man found in the former bank in Batley, West Yorkshire, as 39-year-old Asghar Badshah, who was reported missing on December 4.
Mr Badshah’s family have said they are “deeply shocked and devastated” by his death.
Two men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, West Yorkshire Police said.
The men, aged 27 and 30, have been released under investigation and the 41-year-old woman is on bail pending further inquiries.
Mr Badshah, from Bradford, was found when police forced entry into the Commercial Street building on Sunday.
It was reported in The Sun that his body was discovered in the wall cavity of the former Yorkshire Bank building, which is believed to have been empty since its closure in 2016.
Detective Chief Inspector Heather Whoriskey, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Inquiries are continuing into the death of Mr Badshah, who was reported missing on December 4.
“We believe he was last seen in the early hours of November 30 and I would appeal to anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity in Commercial Street around that time, or since, to contact my team so we can establish if this is linked to our investigation.”
In a statement, Mr Badshah’s family said: “We, as a family, are deeply shocked and devastated by the loss of our dear brother Asghar Badshah.
“His beautiful smile and charisma, as well as his generosity, will never be forgotten.
“We, as a family, please ask for privacy during our time of grief as our elderly mother is deeply upset at this time.
“We pray for justice for Asghar and appeal to the public for any assistance they can provide to the police in this investigation.”
On Tuesday, a lone police officer stood guard outside the building and a police van was parked across the road.
The remains of a police cordon could be seen tied to bollards around the former bank, which stands on the corner of a small row of shops, including newsagents and beauty salons.
The windows and doors of the building had been covered up.
