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Operation Savannah: Body in Coxford woods becomes a murder investigation

Press Releases

Published: 27/07/2010


Major Crime detectives investigating the discovery of a man’s body in a stream in woodland off Springford Road, Coxford, are now treating the death as murder.  

The body of 42-year-old Shawn Williams (also known as Simon) of Victoria Road, Woolston, was found on the evening of Tuesday, July 20.  

It is thought Mr Williams discharged himself from Southampton General Hospital on Saturday July 3, following an assault in the Northam area of the city, in which he sustained head injuries.

Detectives believe Mr Williams died from his injuries soon after he left hospital later that afternoon and are treating his death as suspicious.  

At 8.52am on Saturday July 3, police were notified by South Central Ambulance that they had treated a man with serious head injuries in Northam Road.  

It is thought Mr Williams was attacked from behind in Princes Court, Northam, as he walked through Northam estate. 

When officers contacted Mr Williams following the assault he did not want to make a formal complaint or speak to police.  

Det Chief Insp Dave Powell, leading the investigation, said: “We are treating the death of Shawn Williams as murder and we believe that the serious head injuries he received from this assault led to his death.  

“We know Mr Williams discharged himself from hospital a few hours after he was admitted and he is seen on CCTV walking out of the hospital, not far from where his body was eventually found, in woodland off Springford Road. 

“I need help from the people of Northam to come forward and tell us what they know. I need to hear from anyone who saw Mr Williams on the estate between 7.30am and 8.30am on Saturday, July 3.  

“Did you see Mr Williams being assaulted, or hear or see a group of people in the area that morning in or near to Princes Court? You may have some vital information that could lead us to his killers.

“I want to reassure people living in Northam that we have a team of detectives working on this investigation and are committed to finding out who is responsible.”    

Mr Williams was a very distinctive man at 6ft 5ins tall. He had ginger hair, weighed approximately 17-18 stone, had size 11-12 feet and was of athletic build. On the day his body was found he was wearing an XL size purple round- neck, ‘TU’ brand T shirt, dark blue trousers and Asics gel trainers. 

DCI Powell added: “Someone in Southampton must know Shawn Williams and know why he was in Northam early on that Saturday morning. Did he speak to you about where he was going or what he was doing?  

“We need to try and build up a picture of his movements and I’d ask anyone who knew him and has any information about him to come forward and speak to us.” 

As a result of the contact Mr Williams had with police following the assault and prior to the discovery of his body last week, Hampshire Constabulary has decided to refer this matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as a matter of routine. 

Anyone with any information about the assault is asked to contact Major Crime at Hulse Road quoting Operation Savannah on 101 or contact Crimestoppers where you can leave details anonymously on a recorded message by calling 0800 555 111.  



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