This is the first photo of a former police officer found dead at a house in Heswall.
Andrew McDiarmid, known to his friends as Andy, died at a house on Oldfield Way in Heswall after sustaining critical injuries.
The former Merseyside Police detective retired in 2008, after 30 years of service on the force.
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Mr McDiarmid's Linkedin profile stated that he joined the force in 1978, working as a detective for 30 years before his retirement.
Since leaving the force, he worked as a chemistry team leader and a management co-ordinator.
A neighbour told the ECHO they believed Mr McDiarmid had recently retired from work.
Officers from Merseyside Police were called to a property on Oldfield Way at around 8.45pm on Monday, January 24 and found Mr McDiarmid with serious injuries. He died at the scene.
A post mortem has been carried out and the cause of death has been confirmed as stab wounds.
Neighbours in the leafy Wirral residential suburb spoke of their shock after the incident, with one man saying Mr McDiarmid was "a nice guy" and had retired from his job "quite recently."
He added: "They were very quiet and have lived there for 10 years. It's come as an absolute bolt from the blue.
"The police have also been round to ask if we know anything.
"I'm in a state of shock really, I don't know what else to say.
"It's completely unexpected and I'm struggling to understand what's happened."
A woman who was out walking her dog said: "Last night there must have been around seven to eight police cars parked up all the way down the road, with an ambulance as well.
"It was absolutely manic and things like this never happen around here.
"People have been driving up the road to have a look and then doing a U-turn to drive back.
"It's a bit unnerving this has happened."
Oldfield Way is a quiet road with views towards the Dee estuary and the Welsh hills on one side, and open fields on the other.
An update released by Merseyside Police today said a 21 year old man arrested at the scene has now been detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital for assessment.
A 54-year-old woman has been released on bail as enquiries continue.
An investigation remains ongoing and officers remain on Oldfield Way while extensive CCTV, house-to-house and forensic enquiries being carried out.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “Andy joined Merseyside Police in 1978 and spent 30 years with the service, working at Wavertree police station and in CID in Tuebrook, Huyton and Wirral. He retired as a Detective Inspector in intelligence in 2008.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with Andy’s family at this tragic time.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police Contact Centre with reference 22000056993. You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
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