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| Murder inquiry into bonfire death | Murder inquiry into bonfire death |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Police have launched a murder investigation in Wirral after the death of a man whose body was discovered in the embers of a bonfire. | Police have launched a murder investigation in Wirral after the death of a man whose body was discovered in the embers of a bonfire. |
| Stephen Croft, 34, was found dead on grassland at the junction of Borough Road and Whetstone Lane, Birkenhead. | Stephen Croft, 34, was found dead on grassland at the junction of Borough Road and Whetstone Lane, Birkenhead. |
| Two boys aged 13 and 17, and a 19-year-old man, have been arrested and are being questioned. | Two boys aged 13 and 17, and a 19-year-old man, have been arrested and are being questioned. |
| Supt Graham Yip said: "I am not able to say a cause of death, but I am able to say we are now dealing with a murder." | Supt Graham Yip said: "I am not able to say a cause of death, but I am able to say we are now dealing with a murder." |
| Mr Croft's parents urged witnesses with information to come forward. | Mr Croft's parents urged witnesses with information to come forward. |
| His mother Patricia and father, also called Stephen, paid tribute to their "caring" son. | His mother Patricia and father, also called Stephen, paid tribute to their "caring" son. |
| Stephen's parents and his 31-year-old sister Sarah said he was "liked by everyone who met him" and would be "sadly missed". | Stephen's parents and his 31-year-old sister Sarah said he was "liked by everyone who met him" and would be "sadly missed". |
| I can't emphasise how important it is that we get to the bottom of it, we are building up a picture of what happened that night. Supt Graham Yip, area commander of Wirral | I can't emphasise how important it is that we get to the bottom of it, we are building up a picture of what happened that night. Supt Graham Yip, area commander of Wirral |
| Officers are also examining CCTV footage from the area where Mr Croft was found dead. | Officers are also examining CCTV footage from the area where Mr Croft was found dead. |
| Supt Yip said speculation Mr Croft had been attacked by youths who filmed the incident on mobile phones must be reported to police by witnesses. | Supt Yip said speculation Mr Croft had been attacked by youths who filmed the incident on mobile phones must be reported to police by witnesses. |
| He added: "If you have mobile phones with footage of Mr Croft being assaulted it is vital evidence to the investigating officer. | He added: "If you have mobile phones with footage of Mr Croft being assaulted it is vital evidence to the investigating officer. |
| "I can't emphasise how important it is that we get to the bottom of it, we are building up a picture of what happened that night. | "I can't emphasise how important it is that we get to the bottom of it, we are building up a picture of what happened that night. |
| "If it is just speculation it has the potential to take this murder investigation down an avenue that clearly we would not like to explore." | |
| Police said the 34-year-old victim suffered burns and head injuries. | Police said the 34-year-old victim suffered burns and head injuries. |
| Bonfire party | Bonfire party |
| Supt Yip also made a direct appeal to a "vital witnesses" who was spoken to by a boy outside Yummy Burger Bar on Oxton Road, Birkenhead. | Supt Yip also made a direct appeal to a "vital witnesses" who was spoken to by a boy outside Yummy Burger Bar on Oxton Road, Birkenhead. |
| The results of a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death are expected later. | The results of a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death are expected later. |
| An informal firework and bonfire party organised by local residents had been held where Mr Croft's body was found. | An informal firework and bonfire party organised by local residents had been held where Mr Croft's body was found. |
| Most people are thought to have left at about 2030 GMT on Wednesday. | Most people are thought to have left at about 2030 GMT on Wednesday. |
| Police were called to the scene at 0100 GMT on Thursday. | Police were called to the scene at 0100 GMT on Thursday. |
| People living nearby said they were shocked that a community event had ended so tragically. | People living nearby said they were shocked that a community event had ended so tragically. |