Officers investigating the murder of man after fire in his flat have discovered he died of a number of stab wounds before the property was set alight.A murder investigation was launched following the suspicious death of a body found after the fire at a flat in New Barnet.Detectives investigating the murder are appealing for the public’s help for information about the victim and who he knew, and are releasing an image of item recovered from the scene of the fire and an image of the distinctive cycle he used.On Thursday, 15 May police were called by the London Fire Brigade at around 1930hrs to a fire at Flat 30, Sheridan Lodge, Potters Road, New Barnet.The fire was extinguished and fire-fighters discovered the body of a man. He was confirmed dead at the scene. Next of kin have been informed.He was Antonio James Tammaso, 49 (18.12.64) and was the sole occupant of the flat where the fire occurred.Initially the death was thought to be non-suspicious, but a post mortem examination on Friday, 16 May, held at Finchley mortuary, gave cause of death as multiple stab wounds.The post mortem examination also revealed Mr Tammaso was dead for two to three days prior to the flat being set alight.The Homicide and Major Crime Command took over the investigation into the, now, suspicious death and an incident room opened at Barking under Detective Chief Inspector Glen Lloyd.DCI Lloyd said: “We are appealing for the public’s help in this investigation.“We believe following Mr Tommaso’s murder, the suspect or suspects came back to the flat two to three days later and set fire to the property.“We would like to hear from everyone who knew Mr Tammaso to build an understanding of who he was. Who did he socialise with? Who would he be seen with?“Mr Tammaso would have been known locally, frequenting the New Barnet area, especially around Potters Road often riding his bike.“We would also be keen to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious at Sheridan Lodge in the days before the fire,“Especially anyone who would have seen someone carrying a red petrol can, like the one the pictures we have released today. Maybe someone saw its owner filling it up at a local petrol station? Or walking to, or from, one? If you did, please call us.”Any witnesses or anyone with any information are asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3985 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
PICTURES:Antonio James Tammaso named as New Barnet flat fire murder investigation Officers investigating the murder of man after fire in his flat have discovered he died of a number of stab wounds before the property was set alight.