Murder squad detectives are investigating the possibility that transsexual Bryan Hooley, 28, was killed in Chelmsford.

Detective Superintendent Adrian Braddy, who is leading inquiries, said on Wednesday: "We can't rule out that he was murdered in Chelmsford and his body was then taken to Suffolk."

He added that the National Crime Faculty had been contacted to possibly produce a psychological profile of the killer.

Mr Hooley lived with wife, Alison, although they were divorced, of St Michael's Drive, Roxwell. He also called himself Christine Chappel.

He had died after suffering blows to the head with a flat object, and his naked body was discovered on the beach at Kessingland, Suffolk.

Det Supt Braddy said that there had been various sightings of Mr Hooley in the Chelmsford area between February 23 and 29.

One of those was by a sandwich shop near Tindal Square on Saturday, February 26, at about 3.15pm. Detectives would like to speak to a man aged about 30 who was with him.

"We want to know where Mr Hooley was staying between those dates," said Det Supt Braddy, who is based in Suffolk. "He was not the sort of person to live rough."

Anyone with information can contact him at the incident room on 01986 835144, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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