Two men arrested after body found in Gateshead park

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was found in a Gateshead park on Sunday morning.

The men, aged 39 and 33, remain in police custody after the body of a 54-year-old man was found on a grassy area off Shipcote Lane, Gateshead, shortly after 6am yesterday (Sunday 25 August).

The man was "confirmed as deceased [at the scene] after sustaining injuries consistent with having been assaulted," according to Northumbria Police.

There will be an "increased police presence" in the area as an investigation continues into the man's death, which officers are treating as suspected murder.

Detective Inspector Chris Deavin, of Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation Team, said: “This is clearly a very serious incident and we are determined to find out the full circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

“A significant number of enquiries are ongoing, and we will be interviewing two suspects in connection with the man’s death over the coming hours."

He added: “I would like to thank those who have already come forward with information to assist our investigation, and would ask anyone else who believes they know something – no matter how insignificant you feel it may be – to get in touch.

“Our thoughts remain with the man’s family at this terrible time, and we will use every tactic available to us to ensure effective justice is brought against anybody found to be involved.”

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