Newark Advertiser establishes a timeline of two deaths investigated by Leicestershire Police and The Independent Office for Police Conduct who are looking into the incidents at Plungar – where the victim was Timothy Macdonald - and the A52 near Bingham, Nottinghamshire where a gun was found in the car of the deceased
A complex series of events has culminated in a murder investigation that is currently ongoing.
The Newark Advertiser has documented these incidents that have led up to two deaths and took a look at what is currently happening in the investigations.
Tuesday, November 7
The case began when Leicestershire Police was called to a field in Plungar, off Highgate Lane, at 3.30pm on Tuesday, November 7.
At the time it was reported the man, who was in his 40s, was believed to have suffered a head injury and Leicestershire Police said his death is being treated as suspicious.
It was later confirmed that the discovery was being treated as a murder investigation.
Wednesday, November 8
Leicestershire Police then made an arrest the next day as part of that line of inquiry.
"In the early hours of Wednesday morning (November 8), a 56-year-old man from Grantham was arrested on suspicion of murder," said a spokesman from Leicestershire Police at the time.
"He has since been released under investigation."
Thursday, November 9
At about 12:30am the following day, as part of that ongoing investigation, Leicestershire armed officers stopped a vehicle on the A52 Bingham bypass in Nottinghamshire.
"Officers approached the vehicle where the male driver was found to have suffered a serious injury to his head," said a spokesman from Leicestershire Police.
"Despite the efforts of officers to provide immediate first aid to the man, he was pronounced deceased at the scene."
In line with police protocols, a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who then began an independent investigation into the man’s death.
Leicestershire Police said the force will fully cooperate with this investigation.
It was confirmed that a non-police-issued firearm was found in the car of the dead man who was stopped on the A52.
Police also released a statement appealing for more information.
Senior Investigating Officer in the murder investigation, Detective Inspector David Greenhalgh, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), said: “Our enquiries following the discovery of a man’s body in Plungar remain ongoing as we continue to establish the full circumstances of what has happened. Specialist officers are providing support to the man’s family at this time.
“We do continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Plungar area on Tuesday afternoon or who has any information in relation to the incident to come forward to us. Did you see anyone go into a field? Did you see or hear anything unusual or which caused you concern?
“I understand there will be concern in the community and our officers remain in the area offering reassurance as our enquiries continue. Please do speak with them.
“Thank you to everyone who has provided information to us and for your continued support at this time.”
Anyone with any information can report online at www.leics.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting reference 23*690816.
Friday, November 10
Back at the A52, a scene preservation remained in place in the area of Highgate Lane while investigations were carried out.
Road closures remained in place on the A52 Bingham bypass until it was reopened.
National Highways East Midlands confirmed the road was reopened on their X, formerly Twitter, account at 8.34pm on Friday evening.
The man who was found dead in the field at Plungar was then named as Timothy Macdonald, also known as Don.
He was originally from Bottesford.
Monday, November 13
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the man's 13-year-old daughter – who also lost her mother due to Covid complications last year.
Tuesday, November 14
Leicestershire Police was approached for comment about the cause of death of Timothy Macdonald and further details of the murder investigation. They said a post mortem had not yet been carried out and the cause of death cannot yet be made public. A statement is due in the coming days.
The murder suspect in the murder case of Timothy Macdonald has also not yet been formally identified – but tributes have been paid to Tim by loved ones.
Yesterday, (Monday, November 13), a spokesman from the Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed its investigation is ongoing.
The spokesman added that there was not yet a date for the inquest and they needed to speak to the family before releasing the name of the deceased man from the A52 incident.
Friday, November 17
The Newark Advertiser named the man who died at the scene of the police incident on the A52 as 46-year-old Matt Simmons.
He was identified to the paper through several local sources.
Leicestershire Police have appealed to the public for help to find a mobile phone that they believe could contain vital clues.
Tuesday, November 21
Leicestershire Police have confirmed that the mobile phone they appealed for has been located as part of their ongoing murder investigation.
