A man who died following a suspected assault in Tyneside has been named by murder detectives as being from Scotland.
John Smyth, 63, was found seriously injured at a house on Holly Avenue in Wallsend, North Tyneside, just before 5am on Sunday. Officers had earlier been called to reports of a “disturbance”. Ambulance crews attended but John, who was originally from Glasgow, died a short time later.
Two men aged 41 and 34 were arrested on suspicion of murder the same day. The 41-year-old remains in police custody, while the 34-year-old has been released and told he will face no further action.
After leaving Scotland, John lived in the Derby area and he had recently moved to North Tyneside, police said. Officers say their thoughts are with John’s heartbroken loved ones and cops are continuing to appeal for information.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “The identity of a man who sadly died in a suspected assault in North Tyneside can now be confirmed – as our investigation into his death continues. Shortly before 5am on Sunday, we responded to a report of a disturbance on Holly Avenue in the Wallsend area.
“Emergency services attended the scene and a man – who can today be named as John Smyth, 63, from the Derby area – was found to have sustained serious injuries consistent with being caused by an assault. Despite the efforts of medics, John, who was born in Glasgow and recently moved to North Tyneside, was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.
“John’s next of kin are being supported by specially-trained officers. Our thoughts remain firmly with John’s family and loved ones following their incredibly tragic loss. We continue to offer any support they need, and ask that their privacy is respected as they attempt to process the events of the last 36 hours.”
Officers earlier confirmed: “We arrested two men – aged 41 and 34 – on suspicion of murder.
“The 41-year-old remains in police custody, while the 34-year-old has been released and told he will face no further action.”
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