Dead man found inside bag in Helmond canal

A bag found floating in the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal in Helmond on Thursday morning contained the lifeless body of a man, the police confirmed. The identity of the victim and cause of his death are still under investigation. But given the circumstances in which the body was found, the police believe he was murdered. A passerby noticed the bag floating in the canal near Rochadeweg and notified the police around 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. The fire department brought the bag to the side, after which forensic investigators examined the content. The bag contained a body wrapped in a blanket. The police performed an extensive trace evidence investigation at the scene where the body was found. Investigators will also like to talk to anyone who saw anything suspicious around the canal on Zuid Willemsvaartstraat. A spokesperson for the police confirmed to Omroep Brabant that the victim is not Eindhoven resident Henry Pfaff, whose been missing for 18 months. According to the broadcaster, it may be Bart Hillen from Helmond. The 67-year-old man disappeared from his home three weeks ago.