Four men arrested on Thursday as part of an investigation into the alleged murder of a Suffolk grandfather in Ipswich have been released under investigation, police said on Friday night.
It takes the total number of people released under investigatoin or on bail in connection with the fatal stabbing of Dean Stansby – in February – to eight.
All four of the latest arrests on Thursday were made in London. All four men were also held for Class A drug offences.
Suffolk Constabulary said on Friday night: “Four men arrested in connection with the murder of Dean Stansby in Ipswich have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
“The men, all from the London area, were arrested (on Thursday) and taken into custody in Martlesham where they were questioned by detectives.
“A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder, conspiracy to murder and being concerned in the supply of drugs.
“A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
“A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
“Another 23-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.”
Mr Stansby, of Trimley St Mary, died of a stab wound to the abdomen at Ipswich Hospital, where he had been taken after the incident in the Ancaster Road area of Ipswich on February 8.
At the time of his death, Mr Stansby had just become a grandfather and had another grandchild on the way.
A further four people are currently on police bail in connection with the incident:
A 33-year-old man from Ipswich who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been re-bailed until 22 August
A 36 year-old-man from Ipswich who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been re-bailed until 22 August.
A 43 year-old-man of no fixed abode who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been re-bailed until 23 August.
A 47-year-old man from Ipswich who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been re-bailed until 24 August.
Following Mr Stansby’s death, his brother Paul Stansby, who worked with him at the Lucky 13 tattoo studio, in St Margaret’s Street, spoke of the family’s anguish and said they wanted answers.
A crowdfunding campaign set up in the wake of Mr Stansby’s death collected hundreds of pounds in just the first few days to raise funds for Dean’s children.
During the course of a day in March, police stopped hundreds of motorists in three hours as investigations into Mr Stansby’s death continued.
Officers carrying out anniversary checks in the Ancaster Road area also handed out appeal leaflets relating to the incident. The following month, new posters asking for the public’s help with the investigation appeared near Ancaster Road.
Under a picture of Mr Stansby, and the date of the night he died, it asked anyone riding the bus in the area that night to come forward.
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