An 85-year-old grandfather has died months after he was assaulted when he confronted burglars who broke into his home in Helmshore, Lancashire.
Gordon Nicholass was attacked during the early-hours break-in at a property on Moss Close shortly before 3am on April 29. He suffered a head injury and cuts to his face and was taken to hospital.
Mr Nicholass was initially discharged, but was admitted again earlier this month. He died on August 12.
Lancashire Police said a Home Office postmortem examination had been carried out, but further inquiries were needed to establish whether the assault caused or contributed to his death.
The force’s Major Investigation Team is now leading the investigation. Detectives said extensive damage had been caused to the property, although it did not appear that anything had been stolen.
Police believe the incident may have been targeted and are working to establish the motive and the circumstances surrounding the break-in.
Mr Nicholass lived at the address with his wife. In a family tribute, relatives described him as a “wonderful husband, dad and granddad” who was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast and known for his engineering skills.
They said he had always been willing to help family, friends and strangers, adding: “Mister fix it, Jack of all trades, we will all miss him dearly.”
Detectives are carrying out house-to-house inquiries, examining CCTV and reviewing other lines of investigation. Officers have also appealed to residents to check doorbell and security-camera footage for suspicious people or vehicles seen around the time of the offence, or in the preceding days.
Detective Chief Inspector Jill Vescovi, of Lancashire Police’s Major Investigation Team, said the force was supporting Mr Nicholass’s family through specially trained liaison officers.
She urged anyone with information, however insignificant it might seem, to come forward.
Information can be passed to Lancashire Police by calling 101 and quoting log 0126 of April 29. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers.
