MURDER PROBE: TWO HELD
Residents tell of their shock after body of man found in house
Police were last night continuing to quiz two men arrested as part of a murder investigation in Washington.
The pair – aged 24 and 28 – were arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a 31-year-old man was found at an address in Trafalgar Road, Sulgrave.
Police had been called to the terraced property at 2.20pm on Tuesday after reports of concern for a man.
The identity of the dead man has yet to be released by police. A post-mortem examination is being carried out to determine the cause of death.
The arrested men were last night still in police custody as the murder probe continued.
A large police presence was visible in the area throughout yesterday. A cordon remained in place while forensics teams, police dogs and detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiries Team (HMET) were also spotted in the street.
Detective Chief Inspector John Bent, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a tragic incident that has resulted in the death of a 31-year-old man. Our thoughts are with his family at this time, who are being supported by specialist officers.
“We are treating this incident as a suspected murder at this stage, and a team of experienced detectives are now working to determine the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
“We have already spoken to a number of individuals in connection with the investigation and two men have been arrested.
They are assisting officers with their inquiries. Deaths such as this have an inevitable impact on the local community, and we are eager to work with the public to determine how this terrible incident occurred.
“There will be an increased police presence in the local area as officers carry out inquiries and offer reassurance to members of the public. Anyone with any concerns should speak to a nearby officer.”
Flowers were left in the street yesterday, while neighbours have spoken of their shock at the death.
Kevin Marsh, 57, who lived next door to the victim, said he was stunned by what had happened.
He said: “I am in shock really. It is usually really quiet around here.”
One woman who lives nearby and didn’t want to be named knew the victim and said she was upset when she read about his death on Facebook.
She said: “I wouldn’t say we were friends, but I knew him off years ago when we were younger. I hadn’t seen him for about three years, but it is still very upsetting that this has happened.”
Edward Davies, 66, who also lives in Trafalgar Road, said: “I didn’t hear anything and then all of a sudden the whole lot of them (police and ambulance) arrived, they were all over.
“Things like this don’t usually happen here.”
Another resident, who said she was too nervous to be named, said she was shocked by what had happened and a bit worried.
She said: “It is a shock that something like this has happened.”
Police say anyone who may have any information can contact them on 101 quoting reference 489 080119 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.