Police are appealing for a man who was in a park in Pitsea on the night a man died after he was found collapsed to come forward.

Aydin Eldeniz, 28, was found by dog walkers in Northlands Park near Felmores at around 5.20pm on Monday December 18.

He sustained a single stab wound to his chest, police and paramedics rushed to a field near to the lake in the park, where he was discovered.

Sadly, he died at the scene.

Essex Police officers want to trace a man who was in the park between 4pm and 5.30pm on Monday, and asked a dog walker for directions to the lakes on the night of Mr Eldeniz' death.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “The man who spoke to the dog walker asked for directions to the lakes which is an area close to where Mr Eldeniz was found.

“Because of this we need speak to him to see if he has any information which could help our investigation.

“If you think you’re this man I need you to contact us.”

A post-mortem examination found Mr Eldeniz had suffered a single stab wound to the chest.

A knife was recovered nearby in the park.

DCI Pasmore added: “Our investigation is progressing well.

“We remain open-minded about how Mr Eldeniz became injured, including that his wound was self-inflicted.”

Essex Police have said that extra officers will be in the Northlands Park area over the Christmas period to provide reassurance to the community.

If you think you are the man we want to trace or have any other information about the incident please contact us on 101 or email scd.appeals.essex@essex.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.