Murder investigation launched after death of man camping in Merseyside park

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 45-year-old who had been camping in a Merseyside park.

The suspect, also 45, was detained after Peter Seeclear died while on a fishing trip at Stadt Moers Park in the village of Whiston.

Police were called to the scene after another man who had been camping with Mr Seeclear, of Toxeth, Liverpool, alerted occupants of a nearby house that his companion had suffered a seizure.

The death, on 30 October, was not originally thought suspicious but a post-mortem later identified the cause as severe traumatic chest injuries.

"Initial examination of the body by paramedics and officers found that there were no obvious injuries to suggest anything out of the ordinary," said Detective Chief Inspector Richie Jones of Merseyside Police.

"A digital autopsy was carried out in Preston at the request of the coroner and during that examination some internal injuries, not consistent with a non-suspicious death, were identified and the examination was halted.

"On 14 November, a Home Office post-mortem was carried out and the cause of death was identified as severe traumatic chest injuries."

The suspect is also from Toxteth. Police have not revealed if it is Mr Seeclear’s camping companion but they have appealed for witnesses – or anyone who was around the park’s fishing pond on 30 October – to come forward.

DCI Jones added: "Peter's family are devastated by their loss and I would urge anyone who has information which could assist our investigation to come forward.”