The police are trying to establish the last movements of the two men who were separately shot dead this morning.

Senior police officers said this evening that they have no  suspects at this point.

Addressing a news conference, Superintendent Silvio Valletta said the first victim, Josef Grech, 41, of Balzan was shot once in the head. The police were informed of the case at 3.45am. His body was found in Bahar ic-Caghaq.

Joseph Cutajar, 46, of Marsascala, was found dead in Mill Street, Mosta at 8.40. He was hit several times in the head and other parts of his body. 

Assistant Commissioner Pierre Calleja said Grech was shot with a small calibre weapon which could have been a pistol while Cutajar was shot with a rifle.

It was too early to connect the two murders.

Several spent cartridges were found on site in Mosta. AC Calleja said Mr Cutajar may have tried to get out of the car as he was shot.

He said the police were still trying to determine if the first murder was carried out on site in Bahar ic-Caghaq, where the body was found, or whether the body was carried there. They were analysing autopsy results to determine the estimated time of death.

AC Calleja said the police found a burnt Toyota Vitz beneath Mdina, which they suspect is connected with the second homicide. Both the car and registration plates were stolen, the car from St Paul’s Bay, the plates from Mosta.