Victorian police identify man found in boot of burnt-out car at Diggers Rest

Victorian police were forced to use fingerprints to identify the body of a man found in the boot of his burnt-out car at Diggers Rest last week.

Kenan Balikel's remains were found in the burnt wreckage of a Peugeot 407 wagon at Diggers Rest, in Melbourne’s northwest, early on Friday.

Police said the 42-year-old Footscray man was last seen on Thursday afternoon getting another car serviced in Tullamarine.

Police have released images of Balikel, a car similar to the Peugeot he was found in and a 2010 white Mercedes Sprinter van he earlier drove.

Homicide Squad Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bailey said police were now seeking further information to try and piece together Balikel's final hours.

“We would like to piece together Mr Balikel’s movements after about 3pm last Thursday,” he said.

“Investigators have been able to establish that Kenan drove a white 2010 Mercedes Sprinter van to Freight Road Tullamarine on that day.

“We believe he was at a factory in Freight Road, near Mickleham Road, from 2-3pm as he was having a car repaired.

“This was the last time, which we are aware of, that Kenan was seen.”

He said the body was badly burnt and police used fingerprints to identify him over the weekend.

Firefighters were initially called to Bulla-Diggers Rest Road outside Diggers Rest about 12.20am on Friday after reports a car was on fire. After extinguishing the fire they found Balikel's remains in the boot.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.