Student's Family Learn Of Murder On Facebook

Police have admitted that the family of an Indian student murdered in Salford on Boxing Day found out about his death on Facebook.

Anuj Bidve, 23, was shot in the head at point-blank range as he walked with friends near their hotel in the Ordsall district of Salford early on December 26.

His murder is being treated by detectives as a hate crime which may have been racially motivated.

Anuj's father Subhash has complained that he heard about his son's death via Facebook rather than an official channel.

The complaint prompted an admission from Greater Manchester Police, who said "sadly that was the case" and apologised.

Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley, who has overall command for the operation, said: "That is not the way anyone should have to find out something so devastating and we completely understand how upset the family are."

She explained that a family liaison officer had been trying to contact the family in person to inform them when a post was put up on the website.

"Social networking is instantaneous and we have no control over when and what people post on such sites, but no-one should hear such tragic news in this way," she said.