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Detectives release three without charge in murder investigation of 34-year-old Londoner Gary Pocock

00:00, 11 August 2013

updated: 19:43, 11 August 2013

Three people arrested in connection with the death of a man whose body was found on the Isle of Sheppey have all been released without charge.

It comes after detectives investigating the murder on the Isle of Sheppey named the victim as Gary Pocock, 34, of Dagenham in Essex.

Officers were called just before 6am on Wednesday to Warden Bay Road in Leysdown after a body was found on the beach between Little Groves caravan site and Isle of Sheppey Holiday Village.

A man and a woman, aged 44 and 43 respectively, were arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday, but were later released without charge.

A third person, a 29-year-old man from London, was arrested later on Friday, but was also released without charge earlier this evening.

Police at a beach in Warden after Gary Pocock's body was found
Police at a beach in Warden after Gary Pocock's body was found

Mr Pocock was found on a beach between Little Groves caravan site on Sheppey and the Isle of Sheppey Holiday Village early on Wednesday.

A post mortem examination has revealed he died of 'significant' head injuries.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Clayden from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate is leading the investigation.

DCI Jon Clayden, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate
DCI Jon Clayden, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate

He said: ‘We have released a photo of Mr Pocock in the hope that it might jog memories, and that someone might have seen him in the days and hours leading up to his death and have information that can help us.

"We continue to run an incident room out of Warden Bay Village Hall, so I would welcome the opportunity to speak to anyone who has information, or who saw Gary prior to his death.’

Police officers guard the entrance to a beach where Gary Pocock was found dead
Police officers guard the entrance to a beach where Gary Pocock was found dead

Police were called to Warden Bay at just before 6am following the discovery and soon after launched a murder probe.

A police spokesman said the dog walker who discovered the body was clearly distressed, but there was no reason for the public to be afraid as it was not a random attack.

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A team of police officers cordon off the other end of a Leysdown beach where the body was found
A team of police officers cordon off the other end of a Leysdown beach where the body was found
Several police cars and forensics officers were spotted at the scene
Several police cars and forensics officers were spotted at the scene
Gary Pocock was found on a private beach in Leysdown. Picture: Google Earth
Gary Pocock was found on a private beach in Leysdown. Picture: Google Earth
A team of police officers cordon off the other end of a Leysdown beach where the body was found
A team of police officers cordon off the other end of a Leysdown beach where the body was found
Forensic officers at the Dagenham home of Gary Pocock
Forensic officers at the Dagenham home of Gary Pocock

Meanwhile police have been searching the home of the victim, Gary Pocock.

They arrived at his home in Lillechurch Road, Dagenham, at 1am on Friday and were there for several hours searching.

Witnesses, or anyone with any information, are being urged to speak to officers in person at Warden Bay Village Hall, Warden Bay Road, Leysdown between 08:00 – 18:00 or call 101 quoting CAD 07-0167. Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.

Police cordon off a beach where a body was found. Video: Emma Grove


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