Murder arrests over rugby player's death

A man with short grey hair looks directly at the camera, wearing a burgundy running vest with yellow trim. The vest has sponsorship logos on the front. It is a sunny day and there is a wooden panelled fence and a tree behind him.Image source, Mick Martindale Facebook
Image caption,

Four people have been arrested over Mr Martindale's death

  • Published

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a former rugby league player was found dead at a home.

The suspects, aged 50 and 52, were detained by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on Tuesday after officers discovered Mick Martindale's body at a property on Eldon Street on 28 May.

A 64-year-old man who was previously held on suspicion of the same offence has been bailed.

Det Ch Insp Zahid Latif said detectives were working "to provide key answers" for the family and friends of the former Oldham Rugby League Football Club.

 A man walks past some parked cars on a large pavement across a road from a complex of flats. There are trees lining each side of the road.Image source, Google
Image caption,

The former rugby league player's body was found at a home on Eldon Street

Alongside the two men, a 42-year-old woman was also arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting an offender, and all three have since been bailed, the force said.

"We have now made four arrests as part of this investigation, and are continuing at pace with our enquiries as we work to establish the full circumstances of this man's death," said Det Ch Insp Latif.

Mr Martindale was described as a "a larger-than-life character" in a tribute from his former club, where he played in the late 1990s.

Officers have urged anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area last week to get in touch, including those who may have CCTV or dashcam footage.

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