A witness recognised the drawing of the victim

The victim's uncle is understood to have recognised him from a visual image produced by a forensic artist.

Detectives are linking the murder to an incident in Ealing Road on 18 February where a body was seen being bundled into the back of a white Nissan Micra with the registration H767 HEW.

Two other Asian men were believed to have been in the car, which has not been seen since, and were described as being in their early to mid 20s.

Detective Superintendent Nigel Mawer said the man was bundled into the car, outside the Palm Beach restaurant in Ealing Road, Wembley - a central meeting place for Sri Lankans.

A pathologist has revealed he believes the victim was still alive when he arrived at the park.

Mr Mawer said: "A witness had seen a Micra outside the restaurant and they had seen three men who were in their early 20s around the car.

"One or two of them had bundled what appeared to be a body into the footwell of the car.

"If the person bundled into the car at the Palm Beach was alive then there is a good chance it is the victim."

Crimewatch appeal

All restaurant staff have been interviewed by detectives and there is currently no indication any of them were involved.

Last week, police revealed graffiti found near the body could be a vital clue.

The graffiti, which reads "Burn Lol", was found sprayed on a yellow grit bin yards from the body.

Detectives, who will be making an appeal about the case on the BBC's Crimewatch television programme on Wednesday, admit that Lol can stand for Laugh Out Loud and is a common mobile phone text message.

Three male youths were arrested in Wembley as part of the investigation and have been bailed until 20 March.

Mr Mawer said: "The emphasis of our appeal to the public has shifted as the identity of the victim has now progressed."