The son of a British millionaire was found murdered and wrapped in tarpaulin and duct tape in the boot of a car in California.

Iraq War veteran Adrian Bonar’s body was found as a tow truck operator prepared to haul away a Lexus which was abandoned under a flyover near Anaheim.

Mr Bonar’s father is entrepreneur Brian Bonar, 72, who was born in Scotland and later moved to the San Diego area, where he has a number of restaurants.

The 34-year-old former solider was laid to rest in a coffin draped with a US flag on Monday and his heartbroken family has set up a foundation in his name to support veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and drug abuse.

Adrian Bonar’s body was found wrapped in tarpaulin and tape 

Mr Bonar was a US Army veteran who lived in Escondido, about 70 miles south of where his body was found at about 10.45am local time on October 17.

The car was registered to a woman in San Diego County and its registration expired more than a year ago, but it was not reported stolen and it was not linked to any missing persons investigation, ABC7 reported.

Mr Bonar was known to frequent motels in the region, police said in an appeal for information.

Mr Bonar’s body was discovered in an abandoned car under a flyover

His sister, Pauline Gourdie, wrote in a tribute online: “My wee brother, my twin 14 years apart. How I loved you and I know you loved me back.

“My heart is breaking, yet bursting with pride that you were my brother. It’s clear you were not only loved by your family but by so many whose life you touched.

“You were taken too soon but by good did you live it.”

The 34-year-old was a US Army veteran who had served in Iraq 
She added: “So proud of all that you achieved in your life, cut short by evil scum.

“May you soar with the eagles in heaven while they squawk in the sewers of hell! Until we meet again. Sleep tight lil bro. Your heartbroken sis, P.”

Mr Bonar’s father was born in Greenock, Inverclyde.

He owns a number of restaurants in southern California and is the chairman and CEO of Dalrada Financial Corp, according to online profiles.

At Mr Bonar’s funeral, his coffin was draped in a US flag and a picture of him in full highland dress was displayed, The Herald reported.

Mourners wore thistles in a nod to his Scots roots.

Friend Gustavo Dias, who served alongside Mr Bonar in the Army, told DailyMail.com: “He was just an awesome guy. Someone who you wanted to be around with.”

Mr Bonar was married and had children, his friend added.

Mr Dias said the friends were deployed to Iraq in 2007 and 2008 and both were honorably discharged.

The car was being towed when Mr Bonar’s body was found 

He posted a Facebook tribute with a photo of the pair in their Army uniforms, writing: “Today I got the news that I lost one of my comrades to a senseless murder.

“He survived Iraq but not the people whom he swore to protect. Rest In Peace Adrian Bonar.”

A school friend wrote: “Still in a state of shock, I came across this article today of my friend and fellow longtime classmate murdered and disregarded as trash, body found dead in an abondoned (sic) car on the side of the freeway near L.A.

“Life’s a trip! In complete disbelief right now… R.I.P. Adrian Bonar.

Police have launched a murder investigation following Mr Bonar’s death.

A police spokesperson said: “Homicide detectives have identified the man found left in the trunk of a car as Adrian Darren Bonar, 34 years old from Escondido.“Bonar’s body was found wrapped in a tarp and left in the trunk of a Lexus abandoned on the side of Santa Ana Canyon Road west of Gypsum Canyon.

“His body was discovered when officers from the California Highway Patrol prepared to tow the abandoned car.

“Bonar is known to frequent motels in North San Diego County and Los Angeles County.”