Updated 2.15pm

An axe was used to dismember a body discovered in a suitcase floating off the Gżira promenade on Monday, sources close to the investigation have said.

The middle-aged caucasian victim has still not been identified though police believe he was used as a drug mule judging by the initial results of the autopsy, which revealed drugs packed in his stomach. 

He was found in a large suitcase spotted in the water, which was retrieved by the police on Monday afternoon, sparking alarm. 

Investigators believe the crime was committed just hours before the grim discovery since the body had not yet decomposed.

They also noted that the suitcase had not been sufficiently weighed down, which led to its visibility on the water's surface.

Despite the dismemberment, sources said investigators are studying the facial features, providing potential clues to the identity. 

An autopsy was conducted on Tuesday to gather further forensic evidence, which could also lead to the alleged killer. 

Police retrieved the body and the suitcase from the water and placed it into a body bag for further examination. Police are believed to be inspecting CCTV from several locations to try to find the man behind the crime. 

A magisterial inquiry is also underway.

Fifth murder of the year

Monday’s grim discovery is believed to be the fifth murder to take place in Malta this year.

Taxi driver Eric Borg was shot dead in his hometown of Rabat on New Year’s Day, after becoming involved in an argument with 39-year-old Noel Azzopardi who later turned himself in.  

Later that month, Colombian woman Sandra Ramirez was stabbed to death in her home, with a post-mortem finding she had been stabbed and slashed 26 times. Her ex-boyfriend stands accused of the murder. 

In August, Nicolette Ghirxi was found dead in her home after being stabbed to death by her Irish ex-partner Edward William Johnston, who was later shot dead by police after a stand-off in St Julian’s.  

Two months later, 54-year-old Mount Carmel resident Jesmond Gatt was found unconscious in a pool of blood, succumbing to his injuries days later. His roommate Vuk Milic, a Serbian national, told a medical officer that he was behind the killing.