Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Wednesday, 4th September 2024, at 07:35hrs
Five children were initially arrested on suspicion of murder as part of the investigation.
Detectives investigating the death of a man in a Leicestershire Park have named the 80-year-old victim as an investigation into his murder continues.
In a statement released, Leicestershire Police said,
“An 80-year-old man who died after being assaulted in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, has been named as Bhim Kohli.
The assault happened around 6.30pm on Sunday 1 September, close to the park’s entrance in Bramble Way.
Mr Kohli, from Leicester, was taken to hospital following the incident but died yesterday (Monday 2 September) evening. A post-mortem examination has now been carried out and confirmed he died as a result of a neck injury, pending further tests.
A murder investigation has since been launched and five people – a boy and a girl aged 14 and one boy and two girls aged 12 – were arrested on suspicion of murder.
The 14-year-old boy remains in police custody. The other four have been released by police with no further action.
Detectives are continuing to carry out enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
They continue to appeal for anyone who was in the area of the park or Bramble Way between 6pm and 6.45pm to come forward.
At the time of the assault Mr Kohli was walking his dog in the park.
Detective Inspector Emma Matts, senior investigating officer, said: “The circumstances surrounding Mr Kohli’s death are extremely tragic and upsetting not only for his family and friends but also the wider community.
“We continue to offer support to the family through our family liaison officers and the local policing teams are in the area to provide reassurance and discuss any issues or concerns. The family are aware of the significant public and interest in the death of their loved one and would like to thank people for their kind words and sympathy. At this stage the family are asking for privacy at this extremely difficult time.
“Our investigation into the assault on Mr Kohli remains ongoing. We continue to keep an open mind around the circumstances surrounding the incident as we work to establish what occurred in the park on Sunday evening. I would continue to urge anyone who can assist our investigation to come forward.”
The scene preservation in the park has now been lifted.
Due to prior police contact with the victim, the force made a voluntary referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC). Following further contact with the IOPC, the force has now made a mandatory referral.
Anyone with information relating to the investigation is asked to report via the public portal Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)
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