Elliot Handley, 46, of Eastleigh, has been named as the victim in a murder probe in Dorchester

Elliot Handley, 46, of Eastleigh, was found dead at a property in Dorchester earlier this week prompting police to launch a murder probe.

Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) have arrested three people on suspicion of murder with all three subsequently released on bail.

Mr Handley was last seen in Truro, Cornwall on Thursday 21 May 2015. Police believe he then made his way to Dorset.

Detectives are now urging anyone with knowledge of his movements or who saw him before his death to come forward as soon as possible.

Mr Handley is described as white, of slim build and average height and clean shaven with short dark hair. He had a tattoo on both arms.

He was possibly wearing a light brown jumper over a blue/green T-shirt and a black padded jacket on top. He was also likely to be carrying a blue North Face rucksack with yellow straps and an acoustic guitar.

His next of kin have been informed and are being kept updated by specially-trained officers.

The coroner has also been notified.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Neil Devoto, of Dorset Police’s MCIT, said: “Enquiries are still underway as we try to establish the exact circumstances leading up to Elliot’s death.

“I am appealing to anyone who may have seen Elliot between Thursday 21 May and Tuesday 26 May 2015, or had recent contact with him, to contact me urgently.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in The Grove on the evening of Tuesday 26 May 2015, or who has any other information that could be useful, as soon as possible. Please call 101, quoting Op Brisk “All calls will be treated in strict confidence.”

A 43-year-old man from Dorchester – arrested on the evening of Tuesday 26 May 2015, on suspicion of murder – has been bailed to a secure hospital.

A 47-year-old man from Dorchester and a 69-year-old man from Weymouth were also arrested on suspicion of murder on the morning of Wednesday 27 May 2015.

Both men have been bailed until mid-June 2015.

A cordon has been put in place at the scene in The Grove, Dorchester, and is expected to remain in place for some time while crime scene investigators carry out a thorough examination of the scene.

Officers are also carrying out enquiries in the area.

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service, who also attended the incident, confirmed paramedics declared the man dead at the scene.

At a press conference earlier today, Detective Inspector Gemma Morris from Dorset Police said: “At 9.50pm yesterday police were called to a flat at Compass House at The Grove in Dorchester, where we discovered the body of an unidentified male.

“The circumstances of the death are being treated as suspicious, and we are investigating the matter with our Major Crime Investigation Team.

“A 43-year-old man from Dorchester was arrested on suspicion of murder and this morning (Wednesday) two further arrests were made of a 47-year-old man from Dorchester and a 69-year-old man from Weymouth in connection to this matter.

“We are looking to establish exactly what happened yesterday and we would appeal to anybody who has seen anything suspicious in The Grove area since May 22 to contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting Operation Brisk.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting Operation Brisk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.