A MAN found dead outside a house in Southampton was today formally named by murder squad detectives.

Police named the victim as 50-year-old Alec Newman, who was divorced with grown-up children.

Detectives said Mr Newman had been staying with a friend in St Matthew's Close, St Mary's, before he was found dead early on Good Friday.

A murder hunt codenamed Operation Stakehill was launched following the discovery of Mr Newman's body in an alleyway at the back of a house in Cranbury Avenue, Newtown.

Police had been called to the scene, at the junction with Denzil Avenue, around 1.45am following reports of a fracas.

Today Hampshire police spokesman Lucy Dibdin said a post-mortem carried out by a Home Office pathologist had confirmed Mr Newman had died from multiple injuries.

Police said inquiries were continuing to establish exactly how he had been killed and whether or not any weapon had been involved.

It is understood all Mr Newman's immediate family has now been traced and informed of his death.

Murder squad detectives said three people had been questioned in connection with his death. All have now been released on police bail, pending further inquiries.

Officers are still waiting to speak to a fourth man, who remains under police guard in Southampton General Hospital.

The suspect is understood to have suffered non-life threatening injuries but is likely to be in hospital for several days yet.

Call the Operation Stakehill incident room at Hulse Road on 0845 045 4545, or the anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.