Detectives have launched a murder investigation after a 37-year-old man died following a “vicious assault” in west London.
Metropolitan Police said the victim had been formally identified as Baljit Singh following the attack in Hayes on Saturday.
Police and paramedics were called to Station Road shortly before 11pm to a report of an unresponsive man being found in an alleyway.
Mr Singh, who is believed to have lived locally, was pronounced dead at the scene, with his next of kin later informed.
Police, who described the attack as "vicious", said a post-mortem examination held on Monday gave his cause of death as “compression to the neck”.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s specialist crime command want to trace two individuals Mr Singh was with just before his death.
It is believed a disagreement may have taken place and Mr Singh was assaulted.
Detective Chief Inspector Helen Rance, who is leading the investigation, said: “Mr Singh was subjected to a vicious assault; the severity of which has caused him to lose his life.
“My officers are working through hours of CCTV footage and speaking with people in the area to establish what has happened and identify those responsible.
“I would like to appeal directly to anyone who was in the vicinity of Station Road, Hayes from around 10pm onwards on Saturday night who may have seen the victim in company with two individuals.
“Alternatively, if anyone is aware of the victim’s movements, earlier that day we would be keen to hear from them.”
Anyone with information can call 101, the incident room on 020 8721 4266 ref CAD 8667/25APR or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
