CCTV image released as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a man from New Milton

Police are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with information, following the sudden death of a man in his 40’s from New Milton.

Officers involved in the investigation are releasing a CCTV image of 43-year-old Christopher Homer who sadly died in hospital on Friday 3 September.

Police are trying to establish the exact circumstances surrounding Christopher’s death and whether any offences were committed.

He was seen at around 2pm on Thursday 26 August buying goods from the Premier Store on Station Road in New Milton with no injuries as shown in the CCTV image.

Christopher was then seen at 10.30am the following day (27 August) at Santander bank on Station Road in New Milton and later the same day again at the Premier Store at around 2pm with a number of facial injuries. Police are trying to establish how he was injured and whether this is linked to his subsequent death.

Detective Inspector Toby Elcock of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “We are keen to hear from anyone in the local community who may have seen or spoken with Christopher during this 24-hour period as they may hold vital information, which could aid our investigation, as to the exact circumstances of how he sustained his injuries. Do you recognise him from this CCTV image from the 26 August?

“It doesn’t matter how small or insignificant you believe the information you might have, it could prove invaluable in establishing exactly what happened to Christopher in the lead up to his death. We would implore anyone with information to please come forward.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call 101, quoting 44210349208.

If you have private CCTV footage or dashcam footage that could help police to establish Christopher’s movements, or how he came to be injured, it can be uploaded online via: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/44HC21W06-PO1

As part of police enquiries a 45-year-old man from Bournemouth has been arrested on suspicion of murder and a 46-year-old woman from New Milton has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They have both been released under investigation.

Prior to the man’s death, a 54-year-old man from New Milton had also been arrested on suspicion of wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. He was released on conditional bail.