Man charged over 2019 death of dad after body discovered in stolen burnt-out car

A man has been charged in connection with the death of a father whose body was discovered in a burnt-out stolen car after he was killed by a gunshot to the head over three years ago.

Rafal Lyko was found inside the ruined Mercedes at Greenhill Park in Blantyre in February 2019, however a pathology report later determined he was dead before entering the vehicle.

The 36-year-old, whose partner and child live in Poland, had travelled to Scotland only days earlier and had been visiting family in Tayside.

Officers said he was in Rutherglen just 15 minutes before the burning black Mercedes GLE was reported to police.

A 25-year-old man is now set to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday, May 9.

Officers mapping Mr Lyko’s movements on the day of his death found he had been East Kilbride and Cambuslang on February 11 having arrived at Edinburgh Airport two days earlier.

Police discovered his body when the fire was extinguished shortly after 7:55pm.

The car was reported stolen from the capital’s Oxgangs Road area on January 24 and officers were made aware of it being spotted in Morningside.

Eyewitnesses later reported seeing the same vehicle being driven “at speed” following the murder.

Two men were initially arrested over the death in 2020 amid a probe but were later released without charge.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 25-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Rafal Lyko in 2019.

“The 36-year died at Greenhall Park in Blantyre on Monday, February 11, 2019.

“The man is due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday, May 9, 2022.”