Man charged in river murder inquiry

23 March 2014 Last updated at 12:11

Cardiff river body: Man, 28, charged with murder of David Lewis

David Lewis was described as a "good decent man, highly intelligent and a talented musician"

A 28-year-old man has been charged with murder after a body was discovered partially submerged in a Cardiff river.

David Lewis, 45, of Ystrad Mynach, was found in the River Taff by Penarth Road bridge in Grangetown after an anonymous call to police from a phone box.

The man will appear before city magistrates on Monday.

A post mortem examination has been carried out but police said more tests are needed to establish the cause of Mr Lewis's death.

He suffered multiple injuries, police said.

Mr Lewis lived with his parents Hetty and Glyndwr in Ystrad Mynach but would occasionally visit Cardiff, sometimes staying at the Huggard Centre hostel.

Black holdall

His parents, who have said their "lives will never be the same again" are being supported by specially-trained family liaison officers.

Det Supt Paul Hurley, of the South Wales Police Specialist Crime Investigations Team, thanked those who had come forward with information which he said has greatly assisted the investigation.

He added: "While an individual has now been charged and remains in custody, we are still very much appealing for witnesses."

Mr Lewis was last spotted on CCTV at about 19:45 GMT on Wednesday, walking along Penarth Road near the Big Yellow Storage site opposite the BMW garage.

He was wearing light blue jeans, a navy anorak and a light baseball cap with "cross hatch" on it. He may also have been carrying a black holdall.

Mr Hurley said they want to speak to anyone who may been near the bridge on Penarth Road and the Taff Embankment between 19:30 and 20:30 GMT on Wednesday, 19 March.

"I would also urge anyone who may have seen any activity, suspicious behaviour or an altercation on the river bank between these times to please contact the incident room at Cardiff Central Police Station," he added.

Anyone with information is urged to call the incident room on 02920 571 530, South Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting occurrence number 1400093541.