Murder detectives say Iceland car park death on Canvey Island may have been a ‘targeted attack’ – as police claim the killers had been in a pub hours earlier
- Man in his 40s found injured in car park in Furtherwick Road early on Saturday
- Police believe he had been assaulted near to The Haystack pub earlier that night
- Murder investigation has been launched and a cordon erected in Canvey Island
A man found dead in a Canvey Island car park may have been the victim of ‘a targeted attack’, murder detectives have said.
Essex Police said the man, in his 40s, was found injured in the car park next to Iceland in Furtherwick Road, in the early hours of Saturday.
Officers were called just before 1.45am and it is believed he had been assaulted near to The Haystack pub a short time earlier.
Emergency services responded, but he died at the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘We believe those involved had been inside The Haystack pub earlier in the evening
A man found dead in a Canvey Island car park may have been the victim of ‘a targeted attack’
The man, in his 40s, was found injured in the car park next to Iceland in Furtherwick Road
Murder detectives believe that the victim was assaulted near to The Haystack pub earlier
‘I believe that someone who was in the pub, or lives locally, will know the identity of those responsible and I urge anyone to contact us or Crimestoppers with the information they have.
‘At this stage I believe the assault was a targeted attack and this incident does not pose a threat to the wider public.’
He described the murder investigation as ‘progressing well’, and detectives are ‘building a picture of the circumstances which led up to this fatal assault’.
A police cordon was erected in an area surrounding Furtherwick Road and Long Road and people were warned to expect disruption throughout Saturday.
Mr Wood said police would still be working at the scene on Sunday, but it is hoped the size of the cordon could be reduced later today (Saturday).
He added: ‘However, I expect a cordon to remain in place until tomorrow as our inquiries progress.
‘I know this has caused disruption to the centre of Canvey today, but it has been to allow essential work to take place and I want to thank the public for their patience and understanding.’
Police are asking anyone who has information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident to call 101, quoting incident 124 of February 4.
Alternatively, visit online at www.essex.police.uk/digital101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A police cordon was erected in an area surrounding Furtherwick Road and Long Road and people were warned to expect disruption throughout Saturday
