A man whose burning body was found in a park had his fingertips hacked off before he was set on fire.
The remains of William Leiper were so badly injured detectives are struggling to establish a cause of death.
The 31-year-old was found in Househill Park just yards from his Pollok, Glasgow flat on Wednesday, August 4.
Before he died, Leiper was charged with multiple sex attacks and violent assaults on a woman over a period of several years.
He went on trial at Glasgow High Court but was acquitted of all charges on July 30.
Sources close to the police investigation said: "Leiper was so badly injured they cannot establish a cause of death. His fingers were chopped off. He was not decapitated as some have speculated.
"Leiper has been known to police for some time and was charged with attempting to rape a 15 year-old girl and threatened to blow himself up in front of her.
"He was a valium dealer and we are probing the possibility he was involved in a turf war with other dealers."
Leiper also appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court in 2018 after he attacked a woman and threatened police officers.
He pled guilty to three charges of punching the woman and shouting threats to officers who tried to arrest him.
He was sentenced to a Community Payback Order with 18 months supervision and ordered to carry out 130 hours of unpaid work.
Emergency services raced to Househill Park last week when the alarm was raised by members of the public who spotted his body on fire.
Officers investigating his death previously appealed for anyone who may have been in the park on Tuesday and Wednesday to come forward.
A dedicated online portal has also been set up for anyone to submit information they may have to investigators.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick, of Police Scotland’ s Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Leiper’s family at this difficult time and they are being supported by specialist officers.
“His death is being treated as unexplained and officers, supported by specialist forensic teams, are still at the scene and carrying out house to house enquiries in the area.
“This is a significant enquiry and it may take some time to find answers for Mr Leiper’s family and those living in the area as we investigate the full circumstances of what has happened.
“I'd like to thank the local community for their cooperation so far.
“I would stress that incidents such as this are rare and people living in the area can be reassured we have additional officers on patrol.
“I would urge anyone with concerns to please speak to these officers
“We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the park or on nearby roads or paths.
“The smallest detail could help us. In particular we would like to speak to anyone who used the park frequently such as dog walkers, cyclists and joggers, especially if they did so between 6pm on Tuesday, 3 August, and 8 am on Wednesday, 4 August.
“If you have information that would help with our investigation, please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 0562 of Wednesday, 4 August, 2021, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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