Ipswich murder update - police appeal for information and dash-camera footage
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Two weeks after the body of a man was found in Ipswich, detectives investigating his murder are continuing to appeal for information, particularly looking for dash-camera footage from the area on Christmas day.
Officers were called to an address in Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich shortly before 6pm on Wednesday 1 January. A man was sadly found deceased within the property.
Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the man has been identified as William McNicholl, known as Billy, aged 63 years, from Ipswich.
Preliminary results from a Home Office post-mortem indicated the cause of death as being from head injuries and a single stab wound.
A murder inquiry is being led by Suffolk Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team.
Current enquiries are focussing on Christmas Day.
Detective Inspector Mark Hughes of the Joint Major Investigation Team said: “We are renewing our appeal for anyone with any information or who saw anything suspicious.
“In particular we are focussing on the Chantry area on Christmas day.
“Perhaps you had visitors who would have driven along the roads in the Hawthorn Drive, Gippeswyk Park, Birkfield Drive and Belstead Road areas, or you may have done so yourself.
“If you, a friend or a relative, were in the area and saw anything suspicious, or you were driving and have a dash camera, please get in touch with us. Please share this appeal with visitors who may have been in the area on the day but may not live in the area and might not see this.
“No matter how small you feel a piece of information may be, it could be important in finding out who is responsible for Billy’s death.
“We believe there are people out there with information and we implore you to do the right thing, think of Billy’s friends and family, and provide this to police.”
A map of the area police are asking for information and dash camera footage on Christmas Day is included below.
Officers arrested a woman aged in her 50s on Saturday 11 January, on suspicion of murder. The woman was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning. She was subsequently bailed with conditions to return to police on 9 April.
Anyone with any information should contact police quoting reference 37/162/25, via:
Major Incident Public Reporting Portal -https://mipp.police.uk/operation/363719P01-PO1
Phone – Call 101
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.
Previous release | 12 January 2025
A woman arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a man in Ipswich has been bailed as enquiries continue.
Officers were called to an address in Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich shortly before 6pm on Wednesday 1 January. A man was sadly found deceased within the property.
Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the man has been identified as William McNicholl, known as Billy, aged 63 years, from Ipswich.
A Home Office post-mortem took place on Saturday 4 January, and preliminary results indicated the cause of death as being from head injuries and a single stab wound.
A murder inquiry is being led by Suffolk Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team.
Officers arrested a woman aged in her 50s yesterday, Saturday 11 January, on suspicion of murder.
The woman was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning. She was subsequently bailed with conditions to return to police on 9 April.
Police continue to appeal for witnesses and anyone with any information or who saw any suspicious activity near the address between Tuesday 24 December and Wednesday 1 January, should contact police quoting reference 37/162/25, via:
Major Incident Public Reporting Portal -https://mipp.police.uk/operation/363719P01-PO1
Phone – Call 101
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.
Previous release | 11 January 2025
Police have arrested a woman on suspicion of murder following the death of a man in Ipswich.
Officers were called to an address in Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich shortly before 6pm on Wednesday 1 January. A man was sadly found deceased within the property.
Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the man has been identified as William McNicholl, known as Billy, aged 63 years, from Ipswich.
A Home Office post-mortem took place on Saturday 4 January, and preliminary results indicated the cause of death as being from head injuries and a single stab wound.
A murder inquiry is being led by Suffolk Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team.
Officers arrested a woman aged in her 50s today, Saturday 11 January, on suspicion of murder.
The woman was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning, where she currently remains.
The police cordon at the scene is no longer in place. Residents will continue to see an increased police presence in the area and anyone with information, concerns or queries is encouraged to speak to officers.
Police continue to appeal for witnesses and anyone with any information or who saw any suspicious activity near the address between Tuesday 24 December and Wednesday 1 January, should contact police quoting reference 37/162/25, via:
Major Incident Public Reporting Portal - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/363719P01-PO1
Phone – Call 101
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.
Previous news release | 7 January 2025
Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses as a murder inquiry into the death of a man in Ipswich continues.
Officers were called to an address in Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich shortly before 6pm on Wednesday 1 January. A man was sadly found deceased within the property.
Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the man has been identified as William McNicholl, known as Billy, aged 63 years, from Ipswich.
A Home Office post-mortem took place on Saturday 4 January, and preliminary results indicated the cause of death as being from head injuries and a single stab wound.
A murder inquiry is being led by Suffolk Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team and a police scene remains in place at the premises on Hawthorn Drive, near to the junction with Marigold Avenue, whilst enquiries continue.
Residents will continue to see an increased police presence in the area and anyone with information, concerns or queries is encouraged to speak to officers.
Detective Superintendent Mike Brown of the Joint Major Investigations Team said: “We continue to appeal for anyone with any information to come forward while the murder inquiry into the death of Billy continues.
“Billy’s family are being supported by specially trained officers through what is an extremely distressing time for them.
“A large number of officers and staff have already been involved in the investigation, with searches, house-to-house and CCTV enquiries taking place. Residents should expect to see a continued increased police presence over the coming days.
“We are exploring all and any lines of enquiry and currently believe this to be an isolated incident and I would urge anyone with any information, no matter how small you think it may be, to get in touch with police.”
Anybody with any information or who saw any suspicious activity near the address between Tuesday 24 December and Wednesday 1 January, should contact police quoting reference 37/162/25, via:
Major Incident Public Reporting Portal - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/363719P01-PO1
Phone – Call 101
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.
Previous release - Sunday 5 January 2025
Police are now able to name a man who was found deceased inside a property.
Officers were called to an address in Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich shortly before 6pm on Wednesday 1 January. A man was sadly found deceased within the property.
Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the man has been identified as William McNicholl, known as Billy, aged 63 years, from Ipswich.
A Home Office post-mortem took place yesterday, Saturday 4 January, and preliminary results indicate the cause of death as being from multiple injuries.
A murder inquiry is being led by Suffolk Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team.
A police scene remains place at the premises on Hawthorn Drive, near to the junction with Marigold Avenue, whilst enquiries continue.
Residents will have noticed an increased police presence, of both uniformed and non-uniformed officers, in the area. This increased presence will remain while enquiries continue. Anyone with information, concerns or queries is encouraged to speak to officers.
Police continue to appeal for anybody with information or who saw any suspicious activity near the address between Tuesday 24 December and Wednesday 1 January, to contact police quoting reference 37/162/25, via:
Major Incident Public Reporting Portal - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/363719P01-PO1
Phone – Call 101
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.
Previous release - Thursday 2 January 2025
A police investigation is underway after the body of a man was found in Ipswich.
Officers were called to an address in Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich shortly before 6pm yesterday, Wednesday 1 January. A man in his 60s was sadly found deceased within the property and his family have been notified.
The man’s death is currently unexplained. Enquiries are at an early stage but at this time it is being treated as suspicious. A Home Office post-mortem examination is expected to take place in due course.
A police scene is in place at the premises on Hawthorn Drive, near to the junction with Marigold Avenue whilst enquiries continue.
Officers are appealing for anybody with information or who saw any suspicious activity near the address between Tuesday 24 December and yesterday, Wednesday 1 January, to contact police quoting reference 37/162/25 via
Major Incident Public Reporting Portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/363719P01-PO1
Phone – Call 101
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999