Murder detectives are probing a man's death after he was found at a house by the sea.
The victim, who as yet has not been identified, was attacked at the house in Bournemouth.
Police and an ambulance were called on Saturday morning to the house on Frances Road after the attack, with a man in his forties pronounced dead at the scene.
Three people have since been arrested in connection with the murder, Dorset Police have confirmed, adding that all three were believed to be already known to the victim.
Police said it has been reported that the victim had been the subject of an assault at the address at around 10pm on Friday.
As a result of inquiries a 39-year-old man from Bournemouth and a 28-year-old man from Poole were arrested on suspicion of murder.
A 34-year-old woman from Wareham was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
The scene - a detached property which has been turned into flats - remained sealed off this weekend as a murder squad from Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) investigated.
Detective Inspector Neil Third, of MCIT, said: "Our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly died, and they are being kept fully updated with the progress of our fast-moving investigation.
"We are continuing to carry out a number of enquiries and I would ask anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area of Frances Road during the evening of Friday or early hours of Saturday or who has any further information that might assist our investigation, to please contact us.
"Our enquiries to date indicate the victim and those arrested were known to each other.
"A cordon remains in place at the Frances Road address as we conduct our enquiries and there will be an increased police presence in the area.
"Officers can be approached by anyone with information or concerns."
