Police have arrested two men on suspicion of murder after a 72-year-old man died a month after his home was burgled.
Stephen Ridgeway, 72, was assaulted in his home in Keynsham, Somerset, in the early hours of Sunday, November 3. Officers from Avon & Somerset Police were called to the scene by ambulance crews at about 3am.
The victim said he had opened the door to two men who forced their way inside, assaulted him and stole property including alcohol and mobile phones. Mr Ridgeway remained in hospital as his condition worsened and, he died on Saturday, December 7.
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Forensic police outside the home in Keynsham
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The case is currently being treated as murder by the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), as preliminary findings of a post-mortem examination found his injuries contributed to his death. Officers arrested a man in his 30s and a man in his 40s on Tuesday.
Both were released on Wednesday as investigations continue. Detective Chief Inspector James Wasiak of MCIT, urged anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.
He said: “If you were in the Tenby Road area of Keynsham between midnight and 3am on Sunday, 3 November, or have any footage of the area at the time, please contact us. This is very much an ongoing investigation and any information, however seemingly insignificant, could help us understand what happened that night.”
DCI Wasiak added the team has found no evidence of a wider risk to the community. Avon and Somerset Police said: “Our thoughts remain with the man’s family, who are being supported and updated by a specially trained officer.”
Anyone with information should call 101 and give the reference 5224289518 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.