The family of a man found dead on a residential street have paid tribute to him, as police confirm he was the victim of a fatal gunshot wound and an acid attack.
Liam Smith, 38, was found deceased on Kilburn Drive in Shevington, Wigan, at around 7pm on Thursday 24 November, with early reports suggesting there were ‘potentially hazardous substances’ on his body.
A Home Office post-mortem has indicated that Liam was the victim of an acid attack and a shooting.
The hazardous substances aren’t believed to pose any further risk to the public, though anyone who has been in direct contact with the body should speak to officers or seek medical advice immediately.
Kilburn Drive, where Liam Smith was found dead. Credit: Google Maps
The public have also been told not to be alarmed if they see specialist officers wearing protective clothing, which is ‘purely precautionary as per the standard procedure at the scene’.
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A murder investigation has been launched with a scene still in place at the location, and his family are being supported by specially trained officers.
GMP say the murder took place in ‘unique and shocking circumstances on a quiet residential street.’
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#TRIBUTE | Following a Home Office post-mortem, the identity of the body found on Kilburn Drive in Shevington, #Wigan on Thursday 24 November 2022 has been identified as Liam Smith, aged 38.
Paying tribute, Liam Smith’s family said: “Liam was kind-hearted, funny, the life and soul of the party.
“He was the most devoted dad, much loved son, brother, grandson and uncle.
“He will sorely be missed by all who knew and loved him.”
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Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand from GMP’s Major Incident Team, who is leading the murder investigation said: “This is a shocking murder of a much-loved family man.
“I have a team of detectives working around the clock and I urge anyone who has seen anything unusual or out of the ordinary near to the victim’s home during the day and early evening of Thursday 24 November to contact the Major Incident Room.
“This is the first fatal shooting in the Greater Manchester area for over two years and we are determined to recover the weapon and find Liam’s killer.”
Detectives investigating Liam’s murder have urged members of the public not to approach or contact anyone suspected to be involved, and should instead contact the police.
Anyone who witnessed anything unusual, including between the times of 8am and 7pm on Thursday 24 November on Kilburn Drive, that relates to Liam Smith’s murder should contact GMP in one of the following ways:
Manchester United star Antony accused of domestic violence by ex-girlfriend
Danny Jones
Manchester United winger Antony dos Santos has been accused of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend in Brazil.
The 23-year-old has been hit with multiple allegations of assault, bodily injury and threatening behaviour by Antony, including one incident which is reported to have required surgery.
As per ESPN Brasil, a police report was filed against the United star by his ex-partner Gabriela Cavallin on Monday, which listed a total of four different incidents beginning in July 2022.
The DJ and influencer alleged that the first instance of abuse happened after the pair broke up at a party, with Antony apparently pulling her by the arm and by her hair before pushing her into a car. Cavallin was also estimated to be about 17 weeks pregnant at the time, though this wasn’t cited in the incident report.
ESPN Brasil:
Timeline of the reported aggressions from Antony towards his former girlfriend:
July 2022: Antony pulled her out of a party, grabbing her arm and hair. He then pushed her into his car. She was 17 weeks pregnant at the time.
As the report goes on to detail, Cavallin sadly lost the child and while she does not attribute the miscarriage to the domestic violence, she claims that Antony continued to abuse her physically and emotionally up until as recently as May this year, having got back together with him for a time.
Other instances of abuse are said to include Cavallin being attacked in her own apartment in January (citing “reasons of jealousy”), which reportedly caused the displacement of her silicone implants and required surgery, as well as two more attacks — one of which was apparently witnessed by a friend and Antony’s mother.
The 22-year-old also mentioned that she was left with a cut on her finger by a glass broken by Antony — photos of the scar being attached to the police report — adding that he assaulted her again later that day and broke her phone “so she would not call for help”. She claims she only managed to leave five hours later after the Brazilian international’s physiotherapist took her to the doctor.
While an initial report by globo.com suggested that the fourth and final alleged attack took place on 20 May when Antony had already travelled with his club teammates for their game against Bournemouth, it has since been clarified that the abuse and threatening behaviour took place over the phone.
Manchester United winger Antony has been accused of assault by his ex-partner Gabriela Cavallin with a police report being filed against the Brazilian.
She alleges that Antony assaulted her on May 20th. The report is said to include photographs of abrasions and threatening… pic.twitter.com/ShAzuhwOHm
Cavallin claims Antony threatened her during a call on 20 May, warning that “if he saw her with someone, he would kill her”; she also noted several instances when the player had threatened to “kill himself” after they fought in the past.
She claims the two haven’t spoken since 28 May.
Brazilian police are now said to be investigating Cavallin’s claims after she presented photographs of multiple injuries supposedly sustained by the footballer and also requested “urgent protective measures” against him. There is no indication whether British authorities are currently involved.
The details of the case are yet to be fully verified and neither the player nor his club have issued a statement at this time.
Police confirm body of man, 31, who disappeared after leaving Stockport pub has been found
Emily Sergeant
The body of a man who vanished after leaving a pub in Stockport on Sunday night has now been found, it has been confirmed.
31-year-old Christopher Barlow was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) as missing after he was last been seen leaving the Royal Oak pub in the Mellor area of Stockport at 1:17am on Sunday 4 June.
He was seen turning left onto Brabyns Brow from Town Street, but there were no further sightings of him after that.
Police said they were becoming “increasingly concerned” about Christopher’s whereabouts.
But now, after officers and specialist teams searched a specific area in Marple, GMP confirmed last night that a body had been found.
Greater Manchester Police can confirm that sadly a body has been found after officers and specialist teams searched a specific area in Marple, Stockport in relation to Christopher Barlow being reported missing.https://t.co/JD44kXP0AVpic.twitter.com/safIQ1CUmy
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 6, 2023
Sadly, police have confirmed this to be Christopher’s body.
GMP confirmed that Christopher’s family have been informed following the recovery of the body, and a report is now being prepared for the Coroner’s Office.
In a statement addressing and confirming the devastating news last night, Detective Superintendent Helen Critchley, of GMP’s Stockport district, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with Chris’s family and friends at this very distressing time.
Daisy Jackson -
27th November 2022 
