A man believed to have been murdered was on the run after being charged with robbing two people.
Leroy Venner, 53, was found with serious injuries in a flat on Belmont Drive, near Newsham Park at around 3pm on Wednesday (July 27). Mr Venner, whose last address was Princes Road, Toxteth, was rushed to Aintree Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Merseyside Police said an investigation is underway and CCTV, forensic and house-to-house enquiries are being conducted in the area.
READ MORE: Live updates as police launch murder investigation near Newsham Park
The force issued a wanted appeal for Mr Venner on January 18 this year after he failed to attend a hearing at Sefton Magistrates' Court, Bootle, on November 8. A warrant was issued for his arrest and the case was later passed to Liverpool Crown Court.
According to court listings, Mr Venner had been charged with two counts of robbery relating to incidents on November 10, 2020, and December 6 the same year. On the first occasion, Mr Venner was accused of taking a wallet, tobacco, and a quantity of cash from a male victim.
On the second occasion, he was accused of taking a quantity of cash from a different male victim.
It is not yet known whether Venner was living in Belmont Drive at the time of his death.
Merseyside Police said two men, aged 60 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of Mr Venner's murder and are being questioned in custody. A post-mortem is due to take place to establish the cause of death.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Dalton said: “This was a tragic incident in which a man has sadly lost his life. An investigation is now underway, which is in the very early stages as we seek to establish what has happened.
"I would appeal for anyone who was around the Belmont Drive area between 12 noon and 4pm yesterday who heard of saw anything suspicious to please get in touch. You may have information which is vital to our enquiries. I would also ask people to check their dash cam footage, CCTV or doorbell camera to see if they have captured anything significant.
"Any information, no matter how small, might help the investigation.
"Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has information which could help us with our inquiries, is asked to DM @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’ or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 with reference 22000541869"
"You can also pass information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress."
READ NEXT:
Toxic friendship of 'stupid' gun thugs who are paying a heavy price
Dad's emotional speech from the dock as he faces years behind bars
Mum's warning as girl, 3, 'lucky to be alive' after horror scooter crash
Man steps in after thief targets 86-year-old woman outside Asda
