Police investigating the death of a man in Full Sutton have confirmed he died from head injuries, as a murder investigation gets underway.
The man, believed to be in his 50s, was found on Thursday afternoon after police received a call reporting concern for the safety of the resident of a property in the village.
Officers gained entry to the house, whisker cottage, and found the man’s body, originally considering the death to be unexplained before treating it as suspicious.
Although police are yet to formally identify the man, he has been named locally as Peter Battle.
Detective Chief Inspector Alistair McFarlane said: “We are treating the death as a murder enquiry but as yet have been unable to formally identify the victim.
“It is not clear at present when the victim died and it is likely that forensic tests will be required to establish the identity of the man.
“Although very much in the early stages of the investigation, we have not managed to trace any family or friends who are able to identify the man, nor is there an apparent motive for his murder.
“We are concentrating our efforts in trying to establish information about visitors and vehicles attending the property in the preceding weeks and have had an encouraging response from the local community.
“If you have any information which may help, please bring this to our attention. It may seem insignificant but it could be of real importance.
“If you have information which can help us to trace his next of kin we appeal to you to come forward to speak to us.”
To contact the Driffield-based police team investigating the man’s death call Humberside Police on 101 quoting log 492 of 07/02/13, the Incident Room on 01377 208989 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555. 111.
For more on this story read this Thursday’s Pocklington Post.