Police launched a murder inquiry on Friday after a dismembered body found in Kentish Town was confirmed as being that of missing gay trainee rabbi Andy Hinz.

Andy, who lived in Windermere Avenue with other rabbinic students at the Leo Baeck College in East End Road, went missing last Wednesday after leaving the Black Cap gay pub at around 2.10am. He was last seen getting into a minicab with a Scottish man he had been talking to.

His body was discovered on Wednesday when a resident alerted police to a strong smell coming from a black plastic bag on a pavement in St Pancras Way. An environmental health officer was called to the scene and confirmed there were human remains inside the bag.

Following a thorough search of the area the rest of Andy's body was found dismembered into six parts in bins in the gardens of some nearby flats.

Three people were arrested last night in connection with the murder. All were arrested at a flat in Caulfield Court, St Pancras Way, Camden, and include a 27-year-old man from Kingston, a 24-year-old man from Camden and an 18-year-old woman from Eltham. They are all currently in police custody.

A post-mortem into the murder resumed this morning at St Pancras Mortuary.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian West, from the serious crime group west, leading the investigation, said: "At this stage, we are still trying to establish the motive for Andy's murder. It is extremely sad that what we had hoped was a missing persons inquiry has ended in such traumatic circumstances by turning into a murder investigation.

"I would like to speak to anyone who was with or saw Andy in the Black Cap that night. Perhaps you saw him leaving. We think he left on foot with another man, but I need witnesses to come forward to confirm that that is the case."

A statement from the Leo Baeck College said: "The death in such brutal and shocking circumstances of a gentle, kind and considerate individual is deeply painful to his fellow students and teachers who have sent their sincerest sympathies to his mother in Germany.

"Andy would have made a very fine rabbi, demonstrating already a love of Judaism and a love of learning coupled with vast organisational and leadership skills.

"Andy's sexuality was a private matter, though the college knew he was gay at the time of admission. At this moment our thoughts are with his family and our prayers are for his peace in his place of rest."

Rabbi Michael Shire, vice-principal of the college, told the Times Group a memorial service for Andy is being planned for next week. No date has yet been confirmed.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room at Belgravia on 020 7321 7228 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

July 12, 2002 15:30