News Service from House Harris

Vic: Police appeal for info on dumped body

MELBOURNE, Dec 5 AAP - Victorian detectives have released images of a man wanted for questioning over the death of a bashing victim found dumped beside a road in Melbourne's outer west four weeks ago.

Police have yet to charge anyone over the death of Nguyen Van Nguyen and on Friday released video footage and an image of a man suspected to have been involved in his murder.

A local farmer found 30-year-old Mr Nguyen - who had probably been bashed to death - in long grass next to a road in Tarneit on November 8.

The CCTV footage was taken in Robinvale, near Mildura, the day before Mr Nguyen's body was found on November 8, Homicide Squad Detective Sergeant Tim Day told reporters on Friday.

Investigators want to talk to anyone in Melbourne or around Robinvale who can identify the man.

They also want to speak to anyone who saw Mr Nguyen's car - a 1999 white Daihatsu Terios four-wheel drive with number plate PLX 157 - around Werribee-Tarneit or in Geelong Rd, Brooklyn, where it was found dumped.

"Investigators believe the assault occurred elsewhere before the body was dumped," Det Sgt Day said.

"We believe Mr Nguyen was murdered between Wednesday evening on November 5 and the early hours of Thursday, November 6, and his vehicle dumped at Geelong Rd between these times by the offender or persons assisting the offender.

"This person is believed to have travelled from Melbourne to Robinvale within hours of the murder, investigators are trying to reconstruct his movements and establish a nexus between him and Mr Nguyen."

The wanted man is described as of Asian appearance - possibly Vietnamese - 170cm tall, thin build, with short straight black hair, wearing a camouflage, khaki peaked cap with a red star and crescent emblem on front.

Mr Nguyen was known to police, having spent two and a half years in prison after being convicted of abducting and torturing a 14-year-old boy.

Det Sgt Day would not say if there was a connection between that offence and his murder. He said police did not know if the man captured on video was dangerous.

"Regardless of whether he's known to the police or not, police are working extremely hard and around the clock to try and solve the murder ... Mr Nguyen deserves justice," he said.

Mr Nguyen's parents, his father Cong Van and mother Van Bui, made an emotional appeal for help to find their son's murderer.

Mr Nguyen's uncle Ut Van told reporters: "My nephew was a loving person. He had a wife and two young children who will miss him dearly.

"The children ask for their daddy.

"Please if anyone can help or know this man, call the police."