Police issue Exeter murder investigation update; Exmouth man arrested on suspicion of affray released on police bail

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man died following an altercation on Sidwell Street in Exeter on Saturday evening (28 January).

Officers were called to the scene at around 8.10pm. Paramedics also attended.

A man, now formally identified as 45-year-old Stephen Cook from Exeter, was found having suffered a stab wound.

He was taken to hospital where he died of his injuries.

Cordons in Sidwell Street were lifted at around 2.30am on Monday (30 January).

Police arrested four people; two on suspicion of affray and two on suspicion of murder.

A 29-year-old woman from Exeter and a 32-year-old man from Exmouth, who had been arrested on suspicion of affray, have been released on bail to return on Thursday 27 April.

A 19-year-old of no fixed abode who was arrested on suspicion of murder will face no further police action on that matter but was further arrested on suspicion of affray and has been released on police bail to also return on Thursday 27 April.

A 19-year-old from Christchurch, Bournemouth, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, remains in police custody.

DI Stephanie Blundell said: "Enquiries are ongoing and residents should expect to see continuing police activity in Exeter connected to this investigation over the coming week.

"In the light of the ongoing investigation we would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances of this case on social media."

If you witnessed the incident or have any information or dashcam footage that could help with enquiries, contact police via the major incident public portal online.