Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to come forward as they conduct enquiries into the death of a man in Poole.
Dorset Police received a report at 8.12am on Thursday 3 April 2025 that a man had been found unresponsive in a tent in a wooded area off Holes Bay Road.
Officers attended with the ambulance service, and very sadly, the man – aged in his 40s and from Bournemouth – was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and the coroner has been notified.
Detectives have been carrying out detailed enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.
From these enquiries, it has been established that the man was allegedly assaulted in Chapel Lane in Poole at around 1.15pm on Wednesday, 2 April 2025.
Following further investigative work, led by detectives from Dorset Police’s Major Crime Team (MCIT), a 19-year-old man from Poole has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Shaun Inkpen, of MCIT, said, “Our thoughts are very much with the family of the man who sadly died, and they are being kept fully updated by officers.
“Our extensive enquiries into the circumstances surrounding this death remain ongoing and I am keen to hear from anyone with information that might assist our investigation.
“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the reported assault in the area of Chapel Lane and Dear Hay Lane between 1pm and 1.30pm on Wednesday, 2 April 2025. I am also keen to hear from anyone who was driving or had their vehicle parked in the vicinity and may have captured relevant dashcam footage.
“We have also been working to trace the movements of the man who sadly died during the afternoon of Wednesday, 2 April 2025. These indicate he was walking in the area of Sterte Road, Sterte Close, and Holes Bay Road from around 3.15pm to 4.15pm. Again, I would be keen to hear from anyone who has any dashcam footage from this time period that might assist our investigation.
“At this time work is ongoing to establish the cause of the man’s death and whether there is any link to the reported assault. We have made an arrest to assist us with gathering as much information as we can while providing legal protection to the individual.
“Local officers can be approached by anyone with information or concerns.”
Anyone with information is asked to submit it to the investigation team via the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/55HQ24N22-PO1. If you are unable to submit information online, please call 101 quoting occurrence number 55250046778.
Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
