Family pays tribute to 'devoted' dad found dead in street covered in 'white powder'

A dad who was found dead 'covered with white powder' has been remembered as a "kind-hearted" man by his devastated family.

Liam Smith, 38, was named by Greater Manchester Police tonight as the man found in Wigan on Thursday night.

Paying tribute to him, Liam’s family said in a brief statement: “Liam was kind hearted, funny, the life and soul of the party. He was the most devoted dad, much loved son, brother, grandson and uncle. He will sorely be missed by all who knew and loved him.”

His loved ones are being supported by specially-trained officers. On Saturday morning forensic teams continued to work at the scene.

A murder investigation was launched after Liam's body was found.

Liam Smith, 38, was named by Greater Manchester Police tonight as the man's body found in Wigan (MEN MEDIA)

A cordon remained in place and a forensic tent, erected after the incident is still set up between two houses and next to a clearing that leads to grassland.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday night Det Supt Alan Clitherow said: "We don’t know what the substance is, we have done some initial inquiries, we know it’s low risk, so as I mentioned before, anyone directly in contact with the body should seek medical advice if they feel unwell but there’s no wider risk to anyone else."

Mr Clitherow said members of the public should not be alarmed if they see officers wearing protective clothing to remove the body, saying this is “purely precautionary”.

Today, two days since the find, a cordon and forensic detectives were still at the scene between two houses and a clearing that leads to grassland.

Forensic teams at the scene in Shevington, Wigan, after a body was found (Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

One local resident told The Sun: "I was told it was very odd - the body appeared to have smoke coming off it and was covered in white powder."

Earlier, GMP said the scene was "contained" and so there is "no wider risk to the surrounding area".

The sleepy Wigan village has been left stunned by the mysterious death.

The unknown substance covering the body is thought to be low risk but any members of the public who come into contact with it and feel unwell should seek medical advice (Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

The investigation continues.

Any information should be passed to us via LiveChat or by calling 101 quoting incident number 000910 of 25/11/2022.

Information can also be submitted in via the Major Incident Public Portal:https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP22L21-PO1