Police issue murder probe update after body found in wheelie bin in Plymouth

A man being held on suspicion of murder is thought to have known the victim who died after being found seriously injured in a bin in Plymouth, police have said.

A man was found “partially within a wheelie bin” with stab wounds at around 6.40am on Wednesday in a service lane off Grand Parade.

The victim, in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene, Devon and Cornwall police said.

A man in his 30s, believed to have known the deceased, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

The force were granted a warrant of further detention of the man for 36 hours, at Plymouth Magistrates Court on Friday.

Detective Inspector Chris Lithgow said: “A large-scale investigation is continuing at pace with a significant number of witness, CCTV, house-to-house and search enquiries taking place.

“We understand this is a concerning incident for the community and every effort is being made to establish the circumstances surrounding this death.

“A suspect remains in police custody as our investigation continues.

“The suspect and victim are believed to be known to each other and we are keeping an open mind as to any motive.

“We are asking members of the public to help our investigation by avoiding speculation and by not sharing any unconfirmed information online.”

The deceased man is yet to be formally identified.

A cordon in the area has been reduced, with road closures remaining in place in Eddystone Terrace and Garden Crescent.

Police asked the public not to speculate or share footage on social media that could not only upset the victim’s family but also potentially jeopardise the investigation.

Any relevant information, images or footage can be reported through Devon and Cornwall Police’s major incident public portal, or by telephone on 101 and the force website, quoting reference 50260282293.