THE family of an elderly man found dead in a burnt out car are appealing to the public to help them understand the mystery of his death.

Eighty-year-old Costa Savva Papadopoulas, from Valencia Road, Bromsgrove, was supposed to be visiting his sister in London when he was found by firefighters off the Alvechurch Highway.

His confused family say the incident, which happened on Saturday, September 25, is "like a jigsaw puzzle but none of the pieces fit."

Son Chris Papadopoulas said: "We are completely confused and cannot understand what happened to him on that Saturday morning."

Younger son Andrew added: "We do not believe Dad would have harmed himself. He was a religious man and an active member of his church, the Domitron of Mother of God and St Andrew in Birmingham city centre.

"Dad was full of life and a very young and healthy eighty-year-old. He lived for his family and friends and was well loved and respected by everyone who met him."

Costa Papadopoulas, of Greek-Cypriot origin, came to England when he was a teenager and joined the RAF where he entered the catering corps. He stayed in the catering industry all his life running fish and chip shops in Selly Oak, West Bromwich and Birmingham city centre from 1974. He stopped working when his wife, Rita, died in 1994. Costa leaves behind his two grown up sons, two grandchildren, a step granddaughter and a great granddaughter.

Andrew added: "We have had so many people pass on their sympathies and we would like to say thanks for all their kind messages.

"We are completely devastated and shocked by the way Dad died. We simply cannot understand it and we need anyone who saw him at Morrisons petrol station at about 8.35am on Saturday, September 25, and then later on by the field or even on the route to the field, to get in touch with the police. We will not rest until we know what happened to him that day."

Detective Inspector Paul Williamson said: "We are still investigating this death as unexplained and really do need help from the public."

Anyone with information can contact Bromsgrove CID on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.