Man burned to death had withdrawn large sum of money

CAPTION: 21-year-old Shalvin Prasad was still alive when he was set on fire

A young man burned to death in south Auckland had withdrawn a large sum of money the day before he died, police have revealed.

A member of the public found 21-year-old Shalvin Prasad’s body in scrub on McRobbie Road in Kingseat on Thursday morning.

Police say Prasad was still alive when he was set on fire and an accelerant was used. A murder investigation is underway.

The “tens of thousands of dollars” Prasad took from his bank account is still missing and police are focussing their inquiries on anyone with knowledge of the fact that he had the money.

Bank checks show the money was his and had been saved over time and police said there is no evidence he was involved in any illegal activity.

Prasad’s family told police he was a hard worker and a diligent saver.

The 21-year-old’s vehicle, a blue Rav 4, was found outside an industrial building in Papatoetoe on Sunday. It has become a focus of the police investigation.

The Dannemora resident had gone out the night before to play pool in Manukau, leaving home around 8.30pm on Wednesday, and was reported missing by his family early the following morning.

The funeral  will be held in Manukau today.

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