THE mysterious death of a teenager, whose body was found on rocks in Hartlepool marina, is being treated as murder.

Yesterday Detective Superintendent Mark Braithwaite, of Hartlepool CID, announced that as a result of forensic tests and a post mortem he believed 18-year-old John Paul Jeffries had been murdered.

Speaking at a press conference he urged anyone who saw John Paul in the days before his death to come forward.

John Paul's body was found on Wednesday, January 23, by a group of Hartlepool fishermen. He was last seen 24 hours earlier walking past the town's police station.

Det Supt Braithwaite revealed John Paul had suffered various injuries to his head and body.

He said: "I'm now satisfied there are aspects to the case which lead me to conclude that he met a violent death."

Police have spoken to John's family and friends but are eager to hear from anyone else who saw him in the days before he was killed.

Det Supt Braithwaite said: "He often stayed with his family in Lowthian Road, Hartlepool, and with other family members and friends from time to time.

"I do know that he did not stay at his family home in the days up to his death. It is important that we find out where he was staying.

"John Paul's family are very distressed. We are providing the family with support but my job is to find out what happened."

Det Supt Braithwaite revealed there was no obvious motive for John Paul's murder.

He said: "There are a number of inquiries going on into his background but I am sure there are members of the community who hold vital pieces of information."

The teenager was a regular visitor to Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and detectives involved in the case have been examining CCTV camera footage for clues to John's final movements.

Police, who set up an incident room last week to deal with the case, have also interviewed staff and students at Hartlepool College of Further Education where John was briefly a student in the autumn of last year.

Anyone with any information about the murder is asked to contact the incident room at Hartlepool police station on (01642) 302187