A 16-year-old boy’s charred body has been found outside a football stadium after he went to collect pizza takeaways for his family.

Victim Serti Ayman – from the commune of Meri, northern Sicily – had been picking up snacks for his older brother when he disappeared on 16th February.

Police found the boy’s badly burned body outside a nearby soccer ground and a bottle of flammable liquid, reported local media.

Serti’s family’s lawyer Giuseppe Coppolino, told local media: “He was a well-respected, relaxed teen who lead a normal life.

“Serti did well in school. In the summer, he used to take on small jobs.

“He had dreams. Serti wanted to move to the north to work as an electrician there. I don’t think he had any problems.

“His friends ensured me they hadn’t noticed any changes.”

He added: “I know that the police are not ruling out anything as their investigations continue.

“All the family wants is to obtain clarity over what happened to Serti.”

Serti – who studied at Copernico Technical College in the nearby town of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto – had two older siblings, a sister and a brother.

His brother Ayubb, the oldest of the three children, told local media: “Maybe there has been something we didn’t know about him.”

Neither homicide nor suicide has reportedly been ruled out by the investigators.

But lawyer Coppolino underlines: “My mandates ensured me they haven’t noticed anything which could have led to such extreme acts. Serti was a thoroughly calm lad.”

Serti’s body remains at the morgue of Cutroni Zodda Hospital in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto as investigations are ongoing.

State prosecutor Dora Esposito has ordered an autopsy to be carried out.

His mourning brother Ayubb said: “We are awaiting the release of his body so we can bury him.”