[P]olice investigating a murder at a flat in Newcastle have released the name of the victim.
Ashley Cochrane, 29, of Queens Road, Jesmond, was pronounced dead yesterday after being found with serious injuries at his address.
Specialist officers continue to support his family who have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.
At about 1.40am on New Year’s Day police received a report that a man had been found with serious injuries at Catherine House in Shields Row.
Emergency services attended and the 29-year-old man was taken to the RVI with serious head injuries but he sadly passed away.
A murder investigation was launched and a post-mortem later confirmed that the injuries were consistent with an assault.
Enquiries have been ongoing since yesterday and police have now confirmed that two men – aged 38 and 32 – have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Detective Inspector Dave English, the senior investigating officer on the case, is continuing to appeal for anyone with information about the man’s death to come forward.
He said: “A team of detectives have been working hard to establish the circumstances around this death and two arrests were made in the hours following the discovery of a body.
“Those arrested remain in police custody at this moment in time and our investigations are ongoing to piece together exactly what has happened at this address in Byker.
“The victim in this case has a number of injuries consistent with a sustained attack and we know there will be people with important information who are yet to come forward and speak to police.
“We would urge anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area of Catherine House, throughout New Year’s Eve and the early hours of New Year’s Day, to get in touch.
“Officers are continuing with house-to-house enquiries in Byker and so there will be an increased police presence. If anyone has any concerns then we would encourage you to speak to those officers.
“Specialist officers will also be supporting the victim’s family during an incredibly difficult time for them. No family deserves to start a New Year with the loss of a loved one, particularly in circumstances such as these.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 191 01/01/18 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
