Manhunt launched for alleged killer after man found dead on canalside bench

Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward after a man was found dead on a bench near a canal path in Northampton.

Early Friday morning, a man in his 50s was found dead behind Auctioneers Court, near the River Nene in Northampton town centre.

Northamptonshire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service attended the scene, but the man was declared dead.

A post-mortem took place at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester yesterday, but the man’s cause of death hasn’t been released.

Today, forensics teams are still on site, and police said a part of the River Nene will be closed until Tuesday as searches continue for evidence.

Investigating Officer DI Torie Harrison said: ‘Our investigation is continuing at pace and we have a dedicated team of officers working hard to establish the circumstances that have led to the man’s death.

‘Our thoughts and condolences are firmly with his family at this time and they are being supported by specially trained officers from the investigation team.’

Police are continuing to ask witnesses to come forward with any camera footage or CCTV of the area.

She added: ‘There are a large number of apartments that overlook the river and the area near where the man was found, and anyone from these residences, or anywhere else nearby, who may have camera footage or any other information, is urged to contact police as soon as possible.

‘Any information, no matter how small, can help us piece together exactly what happened.’

Anyone with information or camera footage of the area from between approximately 8 pm on Thursday, July 31 and 6.30 am on Friday, August 1, should call Northamptonshire Police.

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