Five bailed as police continue to investigate man’s death at flats in St Leonards-on-Sea

Five people arrested on suspicion of murder following the death on New Year’s Day (Sunday, 1 January) of a 25-year-old local man at flats in Charles Road, St Leonards-on-sea, have been released on bail while police enquiries continue.

Two men aged 35 and 29, and two women aged 29 and 24 all from St Leonards, together with a 26-year-old man from Tring, Hertfordshire, have been bailed until 2 March 2017 pending further enquiries.

During the early hours of the morning the victim fell through the corrugated plastic ceiling of a kitchen annexe in a basement flat. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is thought he fell from a parapet four storeys up after an incident in another flat within the same terrace.

A post mortem examination carried out on Monday afternoon (2 January) found the cause of death to have been injuries sustained in a fall from height.

The matter has been reported to the coroner for East Sussex.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Ashcroft, of the Surrey and Sussex major crime team, who is now leading the investigation, said: “We are keen to talk to anyone who may have information about what happened.

“If they saw or heard anything suspicious, or may be able to help in any other way, I would urge them to contact us quoting Operation Masefield.”

Alternatives are to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org) or to report details online at: https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/response-to-appeal/.