Police investigating the "brutal and prolonged" killing of teenager Alex Davies have been granted more time to question a 17-year-old murder suspect.
Mr Davies body was Home Bargains murder victim was killed in 'brutal and prolonged attack' near Parabold Hill around 5.25pm on Wednesday (May 1).
The teen from Skelmersdale was reported missing on April 30 and the last confirmed citing of the Home Bargains worker was around 2pm on April 29, on Station Road in Parbold, near to the railway bridge.
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Officers were last night (Saturday, May 4) granted an extended 36-hour period to continue questioning a 17-year-old they arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday May 3.
Detectives are continuing their investigation and are keen to speak to anyone with dashcam footage from the Parbold Hill area.
Officers want footage from motorists of any cyclists, particularly those riding mountain bikes, between 1pm and 5.30pm on Monday, April 29.
Det Ch Insp Geoff Hurst, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “We recognise the impact this investigation has had in the Parbold area and would like to offer our reassurance that Lancashire Police i s putting all its resources into finding the person responsible for Alex’s murder.
“Everything which can be done will be done. We are working with partners and the community to find out what has happened.
Home Bargains murder victim was killed in 'brutal and prolonged attack'
“While we have made an arrest, we continue to appeal for information. This includes asking for dashcam footage from motorists, particularly any footage of cyclists on mountain bikes, between 1pm and 5.30pm on April 29, in the Parbold Hill area.
“We know a number of motorists, as well as taxi drivers and bus companies, use this route. Do you recall seeing any cyclists in the area during the times mentioned? If you have any footage, please come forward.”
Since his death tributes have pured in for the rail enthusiast who was given light-hearted stick when he began to post on social media under the name 'Pacer'.
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Ian Hardman, a friend of Alex's, told the ECHO he was "a lovely lad and seemed to leave a good impression with the people around him".
He said: "The occasions I met up with Alex would be generally through the coincidence of wanting to go and see a particular special train, be it steam or diesel or something a little unusual.
"During 2013, I saw a lot of Alex, particularly during the summer holidays while we were both away from school.
"One particular day was when there was a steam engine on a test outing and we had met up with several other like-minded people.
"The four or five of us were knocking around the station waiting for the train to leave.
"Usually when we met up in large groups, besides the information we had gathered about the train, when it was due to leave etc, we would generally all have a good laugh with each other.
"Alex was quiet but still had a wit about him. He was valued and very much enjoyed his hobby of railways."
Det Ch Insp Hurst added: “This is a truly shocking murder of a young man and my thoughts remain with his family and friends at this desperately sad time.
“Alex was a much loved son and brother and his family is devastated by what has happened.
“I would appeal to anyone with information which could assist our investigation to come forward.”
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Although the cause of death has been established police have not released details for "operational reasons" but police confirmed Mr Davies had been the victim of a Home Bargains murder victim was killed in 'brutal and prolonged attack' attack.
Police are carrying out a number of enquiries to trace Alex’s movements from the time he went missing to the time his body was found.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log reference 0460 of May 3 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
If you have any dashcam footage which can assist with our investigation, please go to www.doitonline.lancashire.police.uk and click ‘Report a Crime or Incident’.
Alternatively you can submit information through the major crime web portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0401020119S01-PO1
