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Inquiry after body found in field 'Agonising death' of man in field
(about 22 hours later)
A 37-year-old man discovered dead in a field near Hull may have been shot with an air weapon, police have said. A 37-year-old man discovered dead in a field near Hull suffered a "horrific and agonising death", police say.
The victim was found near a railway line between Hornbeam Drive and Snuff Mill Lane, Cottingham, just before 1000 GMT by a man walking his dog. Stephen John Callaghan, of Elloughton Grove, Hull, was brutally beaten to death "in a very cruel way". He had also been shot with an air weapon.
The unidentified man was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out. His body was found near a railway line between Hornbeam Drive and Snuff Mill Lane, Cottingham, on Wednesday morning by a man walking his dog.
Humberside police said it was possible more than one person was involved in the death and appealed for witnesses. Three teenagers, aged 16, 17 and 18 have been arrested.
Public appeal A spokeswoman for Humberside Police said the three male youths were helping officers with their inquiries.
Detective Superintendent Ray Higgins said on Wednesday: "At this stage, it is unclear exactly what has happened to this man and it is imperative that anyone who was in the Snuff Mill Lane area at any point yesterday, through to this morning, and saw or heard anything or any person behaving suspiciously contact us. She said police had spoken to a number of people about the incident and appealed for anyone with information to contact them.
"We know this location is popular with dog walkers. 'Vicious death'
"Obviously, we are also looking at the potential involvement of an air weapon and are keen to hear from anyone about the use of these weapons in and around this area." Mr Callaghan, who lived with his parents, was last seen when he left his family home at 1500 GMT on Boxing Day. He was unmarried and had no children.
The cause of the local man's death is not yet known, but a police spokesman said the body had a number of injuries consistent with having been shot with an air weapon. He was known to have visited the Snuff Mill Lane area quite regularly, and police said they were now trying to piece together his last movements.
The scene, also known to be a place where air weapons are fired, was cordoned-off and the force helicopter flew over the field to help the investigation during the day. Mr Callaghan was last seen at his home on Boxing Day
Post-mortem tests carried out on Wednesday revealed Mr Callaghan suffered severe bruising across his body.
It is thought he had been kicked, punched and struck with an implement.
Det Supt Ray Higgins said: "This man died a horrific and agonising death and sustained horrendous injuries.
"He was brutally beaten to death in a very cruel way and it is vital that anyone who knows anything about the circumstances surrounding his death contact police urgently.
"I believe there is a lot of information out there that will assist us with this investigation and I am appealing to the public to get in touch with us with any information they have that will assist in bringing the people responsible for this vicious death to justice."
Mystery caller
Mr Higgins said police wanted to speak to people with information about air weapons being used in the area.
They also want to speak to dog walkers who may have information about the area where the body was found.
Detectives have also appealed to a man who contacted them anonymously on Wednesday with information which could prove critical to their inquiry to get in touch again.
Mr Higgins said: "I would urge him to ring us back.
"He and any information he provides will be treated with the strictest of confidence but it is imperative he contacts us again."