Murder arrests after Birmingham man found dead in lake at Dorset holiday park

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a Birmingham man was found dead in water at a holiday park in Dorset. The 70-year-old was found in Heron Lake at Warmwell Holiday Park in Crossways, east of Dorchester, shortly after midnight on Sunday (June 23). The park is part of Parkdean Resorts.

Concerns were raised for his welfare and despite emergency services being called to the scene, including firefighters, at 12.27pm, nothing could be done to save him. Dorset Police have arrested a man and a woman, also from Birmingham, both in their 50s, on suspicion of murder.

The woman was also arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. The man who died and the other man and woman who were arrested were known to each other, police said.

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Detectives are now appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward. Detective Inspector Shaun Inkpen, from Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who sadly died and we have launched a full investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

“We are carrying out extensive inquiries in the holiday park area and a cordon has been put in place as we carry out our investigation. I am keen to hear from anyone who witnessed or heard anything suspicious in the area between the evening of Saturday 22nd June and the early hours of Sunday 23rd June 2024.

“There will be an increased police presence in the area as we carry out our inquiries and officers can be approached by any member of the public with information or concerns.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting incident number 55240094346. Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 555.