It was a killing that shocked a community.

The death of gentle giant Shawn Williams sparked a huge manhunt across Southampton and police spoke to hundreds of residents on a city housing estate.

The decomposed body of the 42-year-old was found in woodland three weeks after he was attacked.

Today detectives have revealed that they have made a breakthrough.

Eight teenagers and a 21-year-old man have been quizzed over the attack that led to the death of 6ft 5in Shawn.

He was jumped from behind, beaten up and robbed as he walked through Southampton’s Northam estate on the morning of Saturday, July 3.

A dog walker found his body 17 days later, close to a stream off Springford Road in Coxford, and just a short walk from Southampton General Hospital, where he had discharged himself just hours after being admitted for the serious head injuries his attackers inflicted on him.

He was last seen on CCTV cameras in the vicinity of the hospital.

The nine people arrested in dawn raids were all questioned by police and the Echo understands numerous items, including clothing, have been seized for forensic testing.

Shawn, who was previously known as Simon, had his rucksack taken during the savage assault in the Princes Court area of the estate between 7.30am and 8.30am. It was later found discarded nearby.

He had been walking through the area from his home in Woolston, and managed to stagger to the busy road where a passer -by, who found him covered in blood, came to his aid.

Officers leading the murder hunt have always believed the answer to who killed him lay in the local area, where public meetings have been held and prayers have been said.

Police have also called at the homes of more than 600 residents, retrieved hours of CCTV footage and made public appeals in six different languages.

They also turned to a nationwide appeal on television but it’s believed it failed to bring in any significant leads about who killed Shawn, who weighed up to 18 stone, had size 11-12 feet and ginger/brown hair.

A police spokesman said: “Detectives investigating the murder of Shawn Williams following an assault in Northam on July 3 can confirm they made a number of arrests on October 6.

“A 15-year-old boy, three 16-year-old boys, three 17-year-old boys, an 18-year-old man and a 21-year-old man were all arrested on suspicion of murder.

“All nine were questioned by police and have since been released until December 15 while enquiries continue.”

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone who has any information to contact the Operation Savannah incident room at Hulse Road on 101.