Police investigating the sudden death of a man in Hastings are looking to identify a number of potential witnesses.
Frankie Boorman, 53, was found collapsed in Pelham Street, at the junction with Harold Place, shortly before 8pm on Sunday 10 April, 2022. He was taken to hospital, where he sadly died on Friday 22 April.
There was evidence Frankie had been assaulted in nearby Wellington Place prior to his death, and a 35-year-old man was identified and arrested in relation to this. He was released under investigation while enquiries continue.
A post-mortem examination has since determined this assault was unlikely to be linked to Frankie’s death, but further investigation is being carried out.
As part of the ongoing enquiries to determine what caused Frankie to collapse, including the possibility there was a further assault leading to his collapse, police would like to speak to a number of potential witnesses seen on CCTV to be walking or travelling in the area around the relevant time.
Picture one shows a person who walked from the direction of Havelock Road, stopped for a short moment outside Jempson’s Café near Pelham Street, and then walked along Wellington Place towards McDonald’s.
Picture two shows a person who rode a skateboard from the direction of Havelock Road, across the pedestrianised area of the town centre and towards Pelham Street.
Picture three shows two people who walked from the direction of Queens Road, across the main pedestrianised area of the town centre and then through the subway that runs between Harold Place and the beach.
Picture four shows a motorbike rider who turned right out of Pelham Street onto Havelock Road. It’s possible this person stopped at the scene to help the victim.
Picture five shows a person who walked along Pelham Street from the direction of Havelock Road. It’s believed this person would have been in the area after Frankie had collapsed.
Picture six shows two people who walked from the seafront into Harold Place. They then checked the bus timetable before walking across the town centre towards Queens Road.
Detective Inspector Duncan Elliott said: “Frankie was a popular character who spent a lot of time in Hastings town centre. He was well-loved by his family and friends and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
“Frankie’s family are desperate to find out what happened to him, and we are conducting numerous enquiries to help provide them with those answers.
“The people in these pictures were in the vicinity of Pelham Street and Harold Place around the relevant time and could be key witnesses. We’d urge them to please get in touch with us to help support our ongoing investigation.”
Any of the people in these pictures, or anyone who recognises them, is asked to please contact police via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4721F19-PO1.
Information can also be passed to police online or by calling 101 quoting Operation Canford. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
