David King guilty of Hiralal Chauhan woodland murder
A man has been found guilty of murdering his partner's father and burying his body in woodland.
David Novakovic King, 44, from Middleborough Road, Radford in Coventry killed 57-year-old Hiralal Chauhan, after stealing £22,000 from him.
Mr Chauhan was reported missing in 2009. His remains were discovered in Wainbody Wood in Coventry by a man walking his dog three years later.
King, who had denied murder, will be sentenced in Leamington on Friday.
Mr Chauhan, whose daughter was Kings' partner, was reported missing from his home in Bowness Close, Radford by a neighbour in June 2009.
His remains were discovered on 26 February 2012.
West Midlands Police said he had been paid £22,000 from his mother's will shortly before he went missing.
Hiralal, who had learning difficulties, had given King possession of his bank card and control of the money, police said.
An investigation found that King had withdrawn all the money from the account and spent it on expensive cruises and antiques.
Police said although a pathologist was unable to find how Mr Chauhan was killed, there was evidence he may have been decapitated before being buried in the woods.
Det Insp Stuart Bell said: "King had seized an opportunity to steal a large amount of money from a vulnerable man who I believe had little understanding of the value of money."
Hiralal's brother, Mahesh Chauhan, said he was "happy" with the verdict.
He said: "We are deeply saddened that Hiralal's life was bought to a sudden end and that someone so close to Hiralal took advantage of his vulnerability for financial gain.
"This will now bring closure to the family, with the hope we can lay our brother to rest."