Bognor body discovery 'could be murder'

Officers believe the Polish male could have been attacked in the hours before he was found on a bench in Waterloo Square.

"The victim sustained several injuries which is why, at this time, we are treating this death as suspicious and have launched a murder inquiry," senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Steve Johns, of Sussex Police, said.

But a post-mortem examination carried out by a Home Office pathologist on the body was inconclusive and officers are waiting for toxicology tests to be completed to find out if substances such as drugs had caused the man's death. It is likely to be three weeks before the results are known.

The man, who lived in Bognor, was discovered at 3.35pm on Monday and has yet to be formally identified, but he is thought to have been in his 50s.

Extensive efforts have been made around the scene, opposite the pier, to find out how the man died, with the area closed to the public for some 16 hours. Investigations have led detectives to currently rule out a racially-motivated crime.

Chief Inspector Jim Bartlett, the Arun district's police commander, said: "I would like to reassure the Bognor community we are doing all we can to establish what happened. I would ask that anyone who can provide any assistance or information to contact us.

"I would particularly like to appeal to the local Polish community who live in the town to come forward with any information, no matter how small, that may be able to assist the inquiry."

Det Ch Insp Richard Johns said: "We believe this is a localised incident which has happened in the Bognor area. Therefore, we are appealing to people from the town to come forward with any information they know.

"Anyone who thinks they may have seen something suspicious on Monday morning, or who may have seen the victim before or after the possible attack, is asked to contact the police immediately on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Operation Langton."

What do you think? Click here to send a letter to [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP