Three people bailed in connection with murder of Billy McNicholl in Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich

A boy and two men have been bailed as the investigation into the murder of Billy McNicholl in Ipswich continues.

Officers were called to an address in Hawthorn Drive, Chantry, shortly before 6pm on New Year’s Day.

When they arrived, they found the body of a man inside, who was later identified as Mr McNicholl, 63.

The family of Mr McNicholl, formerly of Haverhill, paid tribute to him after his death.

SuffolkNews reported yesterday that three people, a 17-year-old boy as well as two men, 18 and 41, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs.

Police confirmed today that all three had been bailed until July 1.

Detective Inspector Mark Hughes said: “A large number of officers have been involved in the investigation and many people, including residents in the Hawthorn Drive area and surrounding streets, have either contacted us or have been spoken to by our officers.

“However, if anyone has any information that they are yet to share with police, I would ask them to do so, to help us find out what happened to Billy.”

“Our enquiry into his death and the work to bring those responsible to justice continues.”

A Home Office post-mortem examination concluded that Mr McNicholl’s cause of death was head injuries and a single stab wound.

A woman in her 50s was arrested on suspicion of murder nearly two weeks after his death.

A 17-year-old boy was later arrested, also on suspicion of murder, and later bailed.

Crimestoppers, which is independent to the police, is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information given to them 100 per cent anonymously that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his death.

The reward is only payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers, rather than the police.

With Crimestoppers, computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.

Give information to Crimestoppers by completing a secure form via www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call the charity’s 24/7 UK-based Contact Centre on 0800 555 111.

The reward expires on April 25.