DETECTIVES investigating the murder of an 18-year-old in Edmonton on Thursday say he died in his own home from an horrendous attack.

Michael Alexander Jones was discovered by his mother at their home in Stanley Road on Thursday. He had suffered serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene when police arrived at 5.13pm.

Detective Chief Inspector John Macdonald said: "Michael was a hardworking lad who had been studying hard at an East London University. He does not appear to have been in trouble before and at this early stage there seems to be no apparent motive.

"He suffered an horrendous attack in his own home and we urge anyone who can assist to contact us as soon as possible."

DCI Macdonald said there were indications that some form of restraint had been used in the attack and that a knife or similar type of instrument may have been used.

He said there was no reason to link the incident with the three Edmonton teenagers murdered earlier this year.

It is not clear yet whether anything had been taken from the property and police said there was no sign of a break in.

Officers are appealing to anyone who may have seen Michael on March 13 either leaving his house or in the area nearby, and are also keen to hear from anyone who noticed anything suspicious in Stanley Road or noticed anyone entering or leaving the family home.

It is believed Michael was a college student and attended Queen Mary's University where he was studying Geography.

A post mortem is expected to take place tomorrow and an incident room has opened at the Homicide and Serious Crime Command at the Metropolitan Police.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3985 or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.