Detectives are issuing an update as enquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in Poole Harbour.
Dorset Police received a report at 6.56pm on Sunday 31 May 2026 that a man was believed to have gone into the water from a sailing boat in the area of Arne Bay between around 8pm and 9pm on Friday 29 May 2026.
A report was subsequently received at 6.11am on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, that a man had been found unresponsive in the water in Poole Harbour off the coast of Baiter Park.
He was recovered from the water and it was confirmed that the man was deceased.
While formal identification has not yet taken place, it is believed to be the man who was reported to have gone into the water – 35-year-old Michael Mitchell from Chelmsford in Essex, who was known to his family as ‘Mitch’. His family is being kept informed with developments in the investigation.
As part of the enquiries by Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, three men – a 46-year-old from Poole, a 31-year-old of no fixed abode and a 22-year-old from Essex – were arrested on suspicion of murder. The arrests were made to assist the investigation in gathering information and also to provide legal protection to those involved as enquiries continue.
A forensic post mortem has been carried out but the cause of death has yet to be confirmed and further detailed testing and analysis is required, which may take some time.
All of the three men who were arrested have now been released on police bail as further investigative work is conducted.
The arrested men are reported to be known to Michael Mitchell.
Detective Chief Inspector Nicky Jenkins, of MCIT, said: “Our detailed enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this death remain ongoing and we are continuing to keep Michael Mitchell’s family fully updated.
“I would again appeal for anyone with information that might assist our enquiries to please come forward, including anyone who had any contact with Mr Mitchell in the days leading up to Friday 29 May 2026.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55260080161. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online using its website or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
