Murder hunt after body is found in Surrey

The discovery of the body of an elderly man in the bedroom of his home has prompted a murder inquiry, police said today.

Officers were called to home of Winston Fernandez in Longdown Lane North, Epsom, Surrey, on Monday February 13 after a member of the public raised the alarm, having been unable to contact him.

The body of the 69-year-old was discovered fully clothed in a bedroom and a post mortem examination showed he had died of multiple injuries, according to Surrey Police.

Superintendent Alan Sharp said: "Although formal identification of the body has not yet taken place, we strongly believe the man is Mr Fernandez who had lived in the area for some time and is well known to local people.

"We are keen to speak with anyone who has had contact with Mr Fernandez this year and are appealing to anyone who can help establish the circumstances surrounding his death to contact officers as a matter of urgency."

A Surrey Police spokesman said Mr Fernandez lived alone at the property and his family had been informed of the death.

Epsom and Ewell neighbourhood commander Inspector Craig Knight added: "We will be increasing patrols in the area and speaking with local people to address any concerns which they may have surrounding the incident.

"I would like to reassure residents that incidents such as this are very rare in Surrey and we are doing all we can to find those responsible and bring them to justice."

PA