Second man, 41, arrested on suspicion of murder after dad found ‘fatally injured’ on canal bench in UK town centre

COPS have arrested a second man while investigating the murder of a man found dead on a canal bench.

Robert Brown, 57, was last seen visiting a Morrisons supermarket in Northampton town centre on July 31.

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He was found critically injured near the River Nene, with East Midlands Ambulance Service calling police to the scene.

Cops launched a murder investigation shortly after they arrived at the canal footpath where Robert was found.

A 38-year-old man was previously arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with Robert’s death.

Last night, police also arrested a 41-year-old man from Northampton on suspicion of murder and he remains in police custody this morning.

Detective Inspector Torie Harrison, who is leading the murder investigation, said: “We are now more than a week on since Robert’s death and we continue to follow various lines of enquiry to establish what happened.

“We still want to speak to anyone who may have been in the area of the towpath behind Auctioneers Court overnight from Thursday, July 31 to Friday, August 1, to contact us even if you don’t believe you have any relevant information.

“Specially trained officers continue to support Robert’s family at this devastating time and anyone who can help us piece together the events which led to his death is encouraged to come forward.

“You can do this by calling us on 101, contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or reporting online.”

Robert’s grieving family paid a moving tribute to the dad – who was also a grandfather – as having “the gift of the gab and a heart of gold”.

His parents and brothers said in a statement: “Rob was quite a character and always full of fun.

“He was our real-life Peter Pan – the boy who never grew up.

“Everyone who knew Rob just loved him.

“He definitely had the gift of the gab and could talk the hind legs off a donkey.

“We would joke that he knew more about everybody else’s business than his own, but that was Rob.

“He had a heart of gold and was always ready to help others.”

Robert’s family also remembered him for his love of motorbikes, saying he was “just so fearless and such a daredevil.

Cops are still appealing for anyone with information to contact them immediately.