A TEENAGE asylum seeker who lived and worked in Waltham Forest has been found dead in a shallow grave in Hertfordshire.

Police have spent the week speaking to the Albanian community in Walthamstow and Leytonstone after the discovery of Dritan Perdoda in private woodland in Northaw on New Year's Day.

Mr Perdoda, also known as Adrian or Ardian Deda, was stabbed, according to pathologists. A fingertip search of the grave, which was only a few inches deep, was finally completed on Monday.

It is believed he could have been buried as long ago as October or November and officers are now trying to piece together his last movements in the days leading up to his death.

The teenager was only 5ft 1in tall and is said to have lived in Walthamstow and Leytonstone since arriving in the UK in March 2002. Police said he had undertaken casual work in the building trade during that time.

Retired caretaker Jim Bailiff, 72, has lived on the land where the body was discovered for 32 years. He said he had not noticed anyone in the woodland.

He said: "I walk all over the place at night time. It doesn't bother me, but I wouldn't recommend anybody else to because I know where I am.

"The walker who found him was trespassing but it saved me from finding him. I most likely would have found him some time."

Officers believe more than one person was involved in the murder and are appealing for people who knew Mr Perdoda in Waltham Forest to come forward.

They are in the process of tracing his relatives in Albania this week.

A police spokeswoman said: "Enquiries are ocontinuing. We've asked the public to think back to what they were doing around Halloween. One of the options we are looking at is that somebody may have seen something suspicious going on in a lay-by near the grave site.

"We are trying to put together a picture of the life of Dritan Perdoda and his life spent living in the Walthamstow area. We've been talking to people in the Albanian community. We are having to put the puzzle of his life back together."

Police arrested a 27-year-old man from Walthamstow in connection with the murder last Thursday but have since released him without charge.

Investigator DI Mick Ball added: "This is a tragic case and we clearly have to find out more about the lifestyle of Dritan in Albania and those who knew him as Ardian or Adrian in England.

"We would appeal for anyone who knew him to make contact with the incident room as soon as possible on 01707 354 236."