Mystery moorland death - police issue new appeal a year on

A year ago yesterday (Monday) a 19-year-old takeaway owner was found dead on a remote moorland road.

Now, West Yorkshire Police are appealing for anyone who knew Najeebullah Nekzad, aged 19, to contact them in a bid to try and finally resolve the mystery which is being treated as a murder inquiry.

Mr Nekzad was found near the famous former landmark pub, Nont Sarah’s, by a PCSO shortly before 11am in a grey coloured Fiat Punto on New Hey Road, Huddersfield - which links to Denshaw - on Saturday, August 31.

Detectives have since established Najeebullah was last seen leaving the Chick Corner takeaway on Old Street, Ashton, in the early hours of Wednesday, August 28.

He died of neck injuries.

After the discovery of his body last year, police appealed to trace three potential witnesses who were seen in the area between 9.50am and 10.10am on August 28.

Officers no longer need to speak to them as part of the enquiry.

Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Twiggs, of the Protective Services Crime squad, which is leading the investigation, said: “Najeebullah was a young man with his life ahead of him. 

“He was a husband and father and was known in the local Ashton community, working as a delivery driver for the takeaway.

“We believe finding out more about his personal life could be the key breakthrough we need in this case, but we really know very little about Najeebullah – anyone who has information about him could help to make all the difference.”

Photographs  of Najeebullah - taken from his social media profile - have been released to help encourage people who knew him to come forward.

Det Chf Supt Twiggs added: “We know he came from Afghanistan originally and still had links there as well as being well-known on social media, including Facebook messenger in particular, but also on WhatsApp.

“His social media contacts and friends may have known him by a different name or thought he was older than the age we have for him.

"The other names we know he was known by were Zargiya Lewanya, Yousaf Nekzad and Armanii Zargaii.

“He also had contacts in Europe and possibly travelled in Germany and Budapest (Hungary) last year.

“We also believe he liked to spend time walking on the moors, but beyond that we know very little about him. 

"I am appealing directly to anyone who knew him or thinks they knew him – either through his work in Ashton, in person or through social media, to get in touch.

“Although I am investigating this crime as a West Yorkshire Police officer as his body was left in the Kirklees area, I am also appealing to people in Ashton and the wider Greater Manchester area to get in touch if they can help.

“Likewise we are appealing to people in Afghanistan who knew him to let us know.”

A dedicated mobile number has been set up for anyone with information to call (leave a message – it will be picked up) or text.

The number is 07787 415174.

Alternatively you can email: xc.palmetto@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

You can also call the main police switchboard on 101.

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