Man named as part of murder investigation in Salford

A man who was found dead in his home earlier this week has been formally identified as 48-year-old Leigh Smith.

Officers were called to an address on Cook Street, Eccles, Salford, at 7.26am on Tuesday morning (22 June 2021) following a report of a concern for the welfare of a man. Sadly, the body of Leigh Smith was discovered and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A murder investigation was launched and a number of detectives are continuing to follow up lines of enquiry and are asking anyone who may have been in the area from around 7pm that evening to get in touch.

Detective Inspector Gareth Davies, of GMP's Major Incident Team, said: "The family of Leigh Smith are understandably devastated to learn that he has passed away in such tragic circumstances.

"Leigh was a much loved son, brother and father and they are finding it difficult to process what has happened to him.

"The investigation team are working tirelessly to get the answers the family deserve and they are being supported through this process. They have asked that their privacy is respected during this difficult time.

"I would like to reassure the local community that this is being treated as an isolated incident and we believe there to be no wider threat to the public.

"We're currently following up a number of lines of enquiry but we're still very much looking to speak to anyone with any information at all - no matter how small the information may be.

"We are particularly interested to speak to anyone who may have been in the area of Cook Street and Worsley Road, Eccles on the evening of Monday 21 June from  around 7pm and may have seen anything suspicious or unusual.

"I would urge anyone with information, to contact police via LiveChat, on our website www.gmp.police.uk or call 0161 856 4711 quoting incident number 519 of the 22/06/21.

"Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."