Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder by police investigating the death of a man who was sprayed with a substance thought to be ammonia after he answered his front door.
Andy Foster, 26, was attacked at his home in Wrekenton, Gateshead, at 11pm on Sunday 20 August.
Northumbria police said there were reports that two people knocked on Foster’s front door and, when he opened it, sprayed him with what is believed to be ammonia.
They fled and Foster was taken to hospital, where he later died.
On Saturday evening, police said two men, both 32, had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
A 34-year-old man and two women – 37 and 30 – have also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All five are in police custody.
In total, six people have been arrested, after a 26-year-old man was detained on Monday on suspicion of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He has been released pending further inquiries, police said.
Foster’s family described their heartbreak at losing someone who they said was kind, funny and loving.
In a statement released through police, they said: “Andy was such a kind and funny boy who was so loved by his family and many friends.
“He was our only son – as well as a loving and supportive partner, grandson and cousin – and was particularly close with his grandad, who was very special to him.
“We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken beyond words that we have sadly lost our boy. Andy still had his whole life left ahead of him – and we are struggling to come to terms with the fact that he is no longer here with us.
“As a family, we would like to thank everyone in the community for their continued support and kind words over the past week.
“We now respectfully ask that we are given the time and privacy we need to grieve, as we attempt to process what has happened.”
Police said the family would continue to be supported by specially trained family liaison officers.
They asked people to avoid speculation about the case, including on social media, and urged anyone with information to get in touch.
“Your information, no matter how small, could prove vital to our inquiries,” a spokesperson said.
