THE murder of a teenager whose half-burnt body was found with stab wounds in Pakenham could be drug related, police say.

Homicide detectives are still piecing together the mystery that led to the discovery of Doveton man Bryan Conyers, 18, lying dead in the garage of a disused house in Abrehart Road.

A security guard found Mr Conyers’ body last Thursday morning.

Forensic tests revealed Mr Conyers died of stab wounds. His body had also been burnt.

Police said the circumstances surrounding Mr Conyers’ death remained unclear but acknowledged drugs could be a factor.

“Drugs may be a part of that (murder), however we have a number of avenues of inquiry,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

Mr Conyers was last seen two days before his body was found in the garage of a house which has not been occupied for a year.

The house is on the site of a future shopping and school complex in the Cardinia Lakes estate, currently under construction.

Homicide squad Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Gerard Clanchy said it was yet to be established how Mr Conyers’ body came to be dumped there.

“Police have not yet established any connection between the deceased and Pakenham,” he told the Gazette.

“We don’t know how he ended up in Pakenham, that is part of our investigations. According to family members, the deceased had no connection with Pakenham.

“Police are unsure whether he was killed at the scene or transported there already deceased.”

Police have appealed to the public for help in tracking the person, or people, who killed Mr Conyers.

The drama began when a security guard found Mr Conyers’ body while on a routine patrol.

Det Acting Sen-Sgt Clanchy said the security guard saw drops of blood in the driveway.

“He’s followed the blood trail which led into the garage, under the house.

“In the garage, there’s an entrance into a storeroom. He’s looked inside and found a partially burnt male body,” Det Acting Sen-Sgt Clanchy said.

The only nearby houses are unoccupied display homes.

Police said the body could have been there for two days before it was discovered.

The first sign something was wrong came early on Wednesday morning when another security guard heard a smoke alarm going off in the house.

Det Acting Sen-Sgt Clanchy said the security guard checked the house but couldn’t find anything to suggest how or why the alarm had been triggered.

The guard found no evidence of foul play, but made a note which was why the area was checked again by security on Thursday morning, leading to the grisly discovery.

Det Acting Sen-Sgt Clanchy said the body was badly burnt, which made it difficult for investigators to determine the man’s identity.

Pakenham Police and SES secured the area last Thursday while homicide and forensic experts swept the area.

The mystery murder has been a dramatic talking point around Pakenham over the past week.

The homicide squad is continuing its investigation.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.