Man found dead in street 'with facial injuries' as murder investigation launched
A murder investigation has been launched after the body of a man was discovered in Newcastle on Friday night.
Police rushed to the scene in the Brigham Avenue area of Kenton at 8.20pm after being contacted by the ambulance service.
They found a man in his 50s lying on a grassy area with facial injuries "consistent with having been assaulted".
Despite the efforts of medics, he was pronounced dead at the scene and officers say his family are being supported.
Police were initially treating the incident as "unexplained" but confirmed this morning that it is now being treated as a suspected murder.
Man in 30s dies after being stabbed in park sparking police probeDetective Chief Inspector Martin Brooks, of Northumbria Police, said: "We are determined to find out exactly what has happened here and get the man's family the answers they rightly deserve.
"We believe the man was seriously assaulted on Friday night and whoever was responsible for inflicting those injuries has then left the scene.
"We are carrying out a huge range of enquiries in order to trace anyone believed to have been responsible.
"Those enquiries will continue throughout the course of today and officers remain in the area to gather evidence and speak to those living in the area.
Anybody with concerns is encouraged to speak to an officer on duty.
"I am again asking for the public's help in this investigation. If you saw anything suspicious in that area on Friday night, or saw a person or people heading away from the scene, let us know.
"Please also check any CCTV or dashcam footage if you live or were driving near that area. Your information could prove the key to our investigation."