The man who died at a house in Heswall has been formally identified as 64-year old Andrew McDiarmid.

Officers were called to a property on Oldfield Way in Heswall at around 8.45pm on Monday 24th January and found Mr McDiarmid with serious injuries. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

Mr McDiarmid was a former Merseyside Police officer who retired in 2008 after 30 years' service.

A 21 year-old man arrested at the scene has now been detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital for assessment.

A 54-year-old woman has been released on bail as enquiries continue.

A post mortem has been carried out and the cause of death has been confirmed as stab wounds.

An investigation remains ongoing and officers remain on Oldfield Way while extensive CCTV, house-to-house and forensic enquiries being carried out.

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Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: "Andy joined Merseyside Police in 1978 and spent 30 years with the service, working at Wavertree police station and in CID in Tuebrook, Huyton and Wirral. He retired as a Detective Inspector in intelligence in 2008.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with Andy's family at this tragic time."