A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a man in Ipswich earlier this month.
Officers were called to a property on Hawthorn Drive shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, where they discovered the body of William McNicholl, 63, also known as Billy. Preliminary post-mortem results indicated that Billy died from head injuries and a single stab wound.
The arrest was made on Wednesday, January 22, and the teenager was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning. He remains in custody.
Ongoing Investigation
A murder inquiry is being led by Suffolk Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team. As part of the investigation, specialist dive teams conducted searches in the River Orwell near Princes Street on Tuesday, January 21.
A woman in her 50s, who was previously arrested on suspicion of murder on January 11, remains on police bail with conditions to return on April 9.
Appeal for Information
Detectives are urging the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation, particularly related to activity in the Chantry area on Christmas Day. Officers are keen to receive dash-cam footage, doorbell recordings, or eyewitness accounts from the vicinity of Hawthorn Drive, Gippeswyk Park, Birkfield Drive, and Belstead Road between December 24 and January 1.
Detective Inspector Mark Hughes stated:
“We believe there are people with information that could be crucial to this investigation. We urge anyone who knows something to come forward, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Help us provide justice for Billy and closure for his loved ones.”
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Suffolk Police by quoting reference 37/162/25:
- Major Incident Public Reporting Portal: MIPP
- Phone: Call 101
- Crimestoppers: Contact anonymously at 0800 555 111 or via their online form.
In emergencies, always call 999.
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