This Is Guernsey

POLICE are continuing to investigate the weekend incident in which a man was dragged under a car despite a linked sudden death. Officers confirmed yesterday that 19-year-old David Reilly was found dead at his Forest home on Monday evening and that there is a connection between the two inquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Taylor revealed yesterday that he is heading the investigation into Mr Reilly’s death after the teenager’s body was discovered at 5pm.

In a statement, he was unable to elaborate further on the link.

As a result, it has not been possible to confirm whether Mr Reilly was suspected of driving a red Peugeot 309 believed to have dragged 22-year-old John Murphy for nearly half-a-mile early on Saturday.

DCI Taylor said, ‘Circumstances surrounding the death of this young man are tragic and I would ask that his family are given the space and privacy they need to come to terms with this sad loss.’

Mr Murphy is recovering in intensive care at Salisbury District Hospital after receiving treatment in a specialist unit for serious back injuries.

A spokeswoman described his condition this morning as ’stable’. Close family remain at his bedside.

Police appealed for witnesses to come forward after the incident which followed a Funk Da Rock music event at 1am on Saturday. An ambulance crew treated Mr Murphy for multiple head and back injuries.

It is believed he was sitting on the pavement outside the pub when he was caught by a car and dragged along the road to near the roundabout at the top of Val des Terres.

* Friends of the 19-year-old whose sudden death is being investigated are devastated by the news.

One said yesterday that she knew David well and could not believe he had gone.

‘A lot of the people who knew him well are shocked or in denial,’ she said.

‘I am still coming to terms with it all. It seems worse because we had not seen him for a while until last weekend. He had been away all summer.

‘He had lots of friends and was a very lovable character. David was just like any 19-year-old who liked going out with his friends and having fun.’

She added that he was really going to be missed.