Banker 'killed by blow to head' on the Inca Trail

The body of Colin Murphy, 44, an international auditor for HSBC, was found in a river on the Inca Trail on 4 January.

Mr Murphy, from Woolwich, had flown to the country with friends for a fortnight's trekking over Christmas and New Year.

A post mortem report indicates the divorced banker was killed by a blow to the head before his body was dumped in the Urubamba river. The pathologist concluded he was struck on the base of the skull with force four days before his body was found.

British detectives are now interviewing 14 other holidaymakers from the trip to piece together Mr Murphy's movements on New Year's Eve, when he was last seen alive.

Mr Murphy's brother, Dr Kerry Murphy, a neurologist, said: "At first we thought Colin had died in an accident but then we received the post mortem and police report."

The banker's friends have told police that on the night of his disappearance the party had stayed at a camp site before their trek to see the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. Some of the tourists went to the nearby town of Aguas Calientes for drinks and the next morning Mr Murphy was not in his tent.

According to reports, Harvey Layton, a 41-year-old construction worker from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, found Mr Murphy's body in the river, which runs past the town.

Peruvian authorities have passed police and pathology reports to the Foreign Office and an inquest in Cambridge has been opened and adjourned.

Detective Inspector Martin Brunning, of Cambridgeshire police, said he was assisting the coroner and liaising with British and Peruvian investigators. A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm Mr Murphy died in Peru and that we have provided consular assistance to his family. We are unable to speculate on the outcome of the investigation."

Another member of the holiday group, Ismena Clout, who works for a London publisher, said that on New Year's Day most of the group went up to Machu Picchu.

The post-mortem examination was not carried out until after the tour party left the country on 6 January.

Coroner's officer Richard Oldroyd said everyone on holiday with Mr Murphy was being interviewed.

Dr Murphy said the police report includes an interview that officers had with Mr Layton. It is understood he told police he found Mr Murphy face down in the river.

Dr Murphy said: "The coroner feels that the circumstances are suspicious." He added: "Colin was the life and soul of any gathering."