Peterlee ‘murder’ victim named as police hold two in custody

Dean Fishwick, 51, died in hospital shortly after midnight on Wednesday (September 23) after being found with stab wounds at a house on Thames Road in Peterlee.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of his murder.

A 53-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman remain in police custody, while a 72-year-old man has since been released under investigation.

CSI remain at the scene (Image: Northern Echo)

A spokesperson for Durham Police said: “An investigation is ongoing and a police cordon remains in place while crime scene investigators continue to work at the scene.”

Pictures taken on Thursday showed forensic experts in white suits working at the property and carrying brown evidence envelopes into the home.

(Image: Northern Echo)

Residents previously spoke of their “shock” at the incident on their usually “peaceful” street.

One said: “It’s a fairly peaceful place to live, but we all keep ourselves to ourselves. I didn’t see anything happening so I’m not sure what’s gone on.”

Another said they were “shocked” at the police presence.

They said: “It’s a bit concerning, my partner’s been to pick my son up from school today, usually he would walk down but I didn’t want him to.

“I’m a bit shocked. You get the odd disturbance now and then but it’s quiet down here, with us being next to the dene. There was police here last night but we thought it was kids probably messing about on bikes, they sometimes cut through the side or ride along the green out the back.”

Residents said the street is home to mostly pensioners.

One elderly neighbour said: “You never see anything like this down here, it’s a quiet street and most of us are old as you can see.

“There have been some police coming in and out and a CSI van I think was here earlier but that’s all I’ve seen.”

Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 582 of September 23.

Information can also be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously.