Michael Doherty

The remains of Michael Doherty were found in a bog near Port Glasgow.

His body had been dismembered and the police were still looking for his torso. The police said that the remains found included his head, legs and an arm. They said that they were still searching for the other parts, as well as his clothes. 

His bones were found by a man out walking his dog in the bog in a woodland after he found a human hand.

Michael Doherty had been a convicted armed robber. His remains were found buried in sight of his home, less than a mile away.

It was thought that his killers would have had local knowledge as the site was not visible from the road.

His remains had been buried in 3ft of soft bogland, but had become exposed when the hot weather dried out the water.

Michael Doherty had been about 16 stone in weight.

He was last seen by his sister on 9 June 1995 in Port Glasgow, the day before he had been due at a relatives wedding. He was reported missing by his family the same day.

He had recently been  released from a six-year prison sentence for armed robbery, and the police said that they were investigating the possibility that his murder was related to a drugs related gangland feud.

He had been convicted in Nottingham in 1992 and had served his sentence in the Newcastle area, but had absconded whilst on leave and had been at large for several months. 

The police said that they thought that his murder had been:

Tests revealed that he had been shot in the head at close range before being dismembered. 

It was thought that he might have been murdered by drugs barons after he crossed then on a deal.