Officers have launched a murder investigation after the body of a man from Manchester was found on moorland in Ripponden.
At around 6.40am yesterday morning, May 13, police in West Yorkshire were called to an area off of Pike End Road in Rishworth, Calderdale, after the body of a man was discovered.
Although formal identification has not yet taken place, officers believe the man is in his 20s, and from the Moss Side area of Manchester.
Detectives believe he was involved in a disturbance on Delaunays Road, Crumpsall, at around 3.40am that morning - three hours before his body was discovered.
A post mortem examination revealed the man had suffered serious head injuries after being hit with a weapon.
Superintendent Rebecca Boyce, of GMP's City of Manchester division, said: "This is a very serious incident which has resulted in a man losing his life in what appears to be horrendous circumstances.
"Our thoughts are with his family and our specialist officers will be supporting them through this incredibly difficult time.
"We are working at great pace to try and piece together the events around this time to find those involved, and are particularly interested in anyone who may have heard the disturbance on Delaunays Road, or who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the early hours of Thursday morning, as this could be crucial.
"I understand that this incident will cause concern within the local community, and I would like to reassure residents that we have a number of lines of enquiry which we are thoroughly investigating.
"We will also have an increased police presence in the area whilst we continue with our investigation.
"If anyone has any information at all that could help police to establish the full circumstances surrounding this death, please do not hesitate to get in contact. Even the smallest piece of information could play a vital part in our investigation."
No arrests have been made, but detectives are working on multiple lines of enquiry.
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 4815, quoting incident number 3364 of 13/05/2021.
Reports can also be made to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
