[P]olice have launched a murder investigation after the body of a man was found at an address in Newcastle yesterday.
At around 10.12am on Thursday morning police received a report of concern for male at an address on Heaton Hall Road in Heaton.
Emergency services attended the scene and forced entry to the address where they found a man unconscious with a single stab wound to the chest.
He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. His next of kin were informed and formal identification has taken place.
As a result, police are now in a position to name the deceased as 59-year-old Steven George Coulter who lived in the address on Heaton Hall Road.
Enquiries to establish the circumstances around Steven’s death are ongoing but police have now launched a murder investigation.
A team of detectives are investigating the incident and they are appealing for anyone who may have seen or spoken to Steven in the last two weeks to get in touch with police.
It is believed Steven could have died a number of days before he was found and so detectives particularly want to speak to anyone who may have seen Steven last weekend.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Dave English said: “This incident will come as a shock to local residents but a team of detectives is working hard to establish the circumstances around Steven’s death.
“A post mortem was carried out last night and we are now treating this as murder. Our main priority is to identify the person responsible and provide answers for Steven’s family.
“They are being supported by specialist liaison officers and it is a really tough time for them as they come to terms with Steven’s death.
“This incident has taken place inside an address but we still need help from the public and particularly need to speak to anyone who may have seen or spoken to Steven prior to his death.
“We believe he may have been in the address for a number of days before he was found and so we would urge anyone who may have seen Steven over the past two weeks to get in touch with us.
“If anyone saw individuals acting suspiciously around the address on Heaton Hall Road then we would also like to hear from them. Any piece of information, no matter how small, could be that last bit of the jigsaw.
“Our officers will continue to have a visible presence in the area around the address today to reassure anyone who has any concerns and to carry out their own enquiries.”
If you do have information that may be helpful to the police investigation then contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log 645 14/07/17 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
