A murder investigation has been launched into the death of St. Clair McDonald Augustus, detectives revealed yesterday.

Police said they were finally able to confirm Mr. Augustus was the man whose badly burned body was discovered following a fire in a derelict cottage in Washington Street North, Hamilton, at 4 a.m. on Monday, April 6.

They announced their murder inquiry began immediately after they examined the scene, but they delayed naming Mr. Augustus until yesterday as they awaited formal identification from an overseas forensic expert.

It is understood the 55-year-old homeless man's body was so badly damaged by the blaze it was impossible to identify him from his fingerprints or teeth.

Detectives refused to comment on reports that the body was found hanging, with its hands tied.

The victim, who was known to frequent the Salvation Army on North Street, was last seen in late February at Friswells Hill in Devonshire.

He will be buried at Pembroke Parish Cemetery today, after a service at Augustus Funeral Home Rose Chapel.

Police had continued to call for people to look out for Mr. Augustus throughout the month, and put out one final urgent appeal on Tuesday. Bermuda Police Service yesterday also apologised to Mr. Augustus' family for any distress caused after earlier this week they dismissed claims that a murder investigation was underway.

Chief Inspector Antoine Daniels of the Serious Crime Unit told a press conference: "Bermuda Police Service can now confirm the death of 55-year-old St. Clair McDonald Augustus of Pembroke Parish and would like to take this opportunity to express our condolences to the family and close friends of the deceased."

Referring to the events of April 6, he said: "After the fire was extinguished a search of the building revealed the lifeless body of an unknown male.

"Once death was certified by a physician, both Police and Fire investigators conducted an examination of the scene and as a result of their findings the cause of death was deemed to be suspicious. A murder investigation was commenced immediately."

Chief Insp. Daniels said there were currently no suspects and no motive had been established, although a number of witnesses have come forward.

He said the house was known for drug use and prostitution, while homeless people were known to stay there.

One neighbour said yesterday: "Everybody knows people go in there. That's been going on for a long time.

"I didn't know Mr. Augustus. The first I knew of him was when I read about him in the paper."

Another neighbour said she had heard rumours Mr. Augustus had been stabbed before his body was set on fire.

Seven months ago, the bodies of homeless St. David's friends Freddie Gilbert and Maxwell Brangman were found near the Black Horse Tavern.

Police said Mr. Brangman died from a number of wounds to his head and body before his body was set alight; Mr. Gilbert died from multiple wounds before his body became immersed in the waters of Great Bay. Teenager Darronte Dill has been charged with murdering both men.

Chief Insp. Daniels said they were not linking the incidents and they did not believe homeless people were being specifically targeted.

Police are urging anyone who saw Mr. Augustus in 2009, particularly at the end of February or later, to get in touch.

People who travelled along Washington Street, between the junctions of Elliott and Dundonald Streets, on April 6, are also urged to contact the Serious Crime Unit on 299-4315 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 1-800-623-8477.

This newspaper yesterday reported how Police said they had no information to support claims that Mr. Augustus was dead and a murder investigation had been launched.

At the press conference, Chief Insp. Daniels said: "The Bermuda Police Service would like to offer a sincere apology to the family of Mr. Augustus for any distress caused in relation to the comments in The Royal Gazette front page article about the deceased."

This newspaper also reported that VSB channel 11 said Mr. Augustus was the man killed on April 6.

In fact, VSB's Tuesday report did not state Mr. Augustus was killed on April 6. We apologise for the error.