FAMILY PLEA: Kevin Cosgrove.

THIS is the missing man police want to trace to help their investigation into the murder of his younger brother.

Detectives are keen to speak to Kevin Cosgrove after his brother was found with fatal head injuries at Kevin's Redbridge flat.

And today police took the unusual step of issuing this picture of the unemployed 46-year-old in the hope he can help their investigation.

His brother Patrick Cosgrove - also known as Paddy - died at Southampton General Hospital on April 27.

A post-mortem revealed his injuries were consistent with being assaulted.

The two brothers are known to have been out drinking together on the night before Patrick died and were seen in the Shirley area.

Kevin, known locally as Jesse, alerted emergency services to his brother's injuries on the morning of April 27.

He was later questioned by police at his ground floor Clover Nooke flat but has not been seen since the day of the incident.

Emotional appeals from the grieving Cosgrove family for Kevin to come forward and help police with the investigation have also proved fruitless Detectives have now taken the step of releasing his photograph, two weeks after the death of Mr Cosgrove, in the hope that Kevin will change his mind. It is now understood that the unemployed man has little cash left.

A police spokesman said: "There have been reports that Kevin Cosgrove could have recently been in the Bournemouth area, and he could be staying in guest house or hotel accommodation. He also used to own a boat and often frequents marina and riverside communities where he might be seen socialising in pubs."

Kevin is described as 6ft tall, of swarthy complexion, with thick, dark, curly hair and bushy eyebrows. He is believed to be casually dressed.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Shirley CID on 01703 335444.

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