POLICE search teams have discovered a number of items which may be connected to the murder of a vulnerable brain damaged man.

Jim Attfield, 33, of East Bay, Colchester, was found near Castle Park stabbed more than a hundred times on Saturday.

Diving teams from Sussex have been called in to search the lake and the River Colne.

They are being assisted by the Essex Police marine unit who are currently wading through parts of the river which have been drained with the support of the Environment Agency.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “A number of items have been found and the search continues.”

Much of the area around the scene remains cordoned off with Polsa teams also searching the undergrowth.

PC John Berwick said: “At this stage the water level has been lowered so the search team can wade through the river without the need for divers.

“They are trying to establish whether there are any items foreign to the location. A diving team will be searching the deepest parts of the river.”

Police said yesterday they were no closer to finding a motive or how many people were involved.

There is a large gap in Mr Attfield’s movements from 10.10pm on Friday to when he was found unconscious at 5.45am on Saturday and died soon after .

Anyone with information is asked to call the Essex Police emergency hotline on 01245 282103.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.