Kettering murder investigation concludes as victim’s death ruled unrelated to assault
Police have closed the case into Jeffrey Burton’s death following forensic findings.
Detectives investigating the death of 50-year-old Jeffrey Burton in Kettering have announced they are no longer treating the case as murder.
Jeffrey Burton, who moved to Kettering in 2024 and was originally from Cambridgeshire, died four days after being found on London Road with a serious head injury. He passed away at Kettering General Hospital on 31st August 2025.
Due to the nature of the injuries sustained, the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team initially launched a murder inquiry. However, updated forensic evidence has confirmed his death was not linked to an assault.
Following findings from the Home Office pathologist and further medical test results, police have closed their murder investigation. Nine individuals arrested during the inquiry have been released with no further action.
Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison, who led the investigation, said:
“This has been a complex investigation, and our thoughts remain with Mr Burton’s family at what has been a very difficult time for them.
“It is only right that an incident such as this is treated with the utmost seriousness, to make sure we have done all we can to understand what has happened, and get the answers those left behind need and want.
“In Mr Burton’s case I can confirm the evidence we have examined did not support his death as a homicide, which has now been further confirmed by all the forensic postmortem and medical results.
“Our findings and decision have been explained to Mr Burton’s family and a file is now being prepared to hand over to the coroner’s office.”
Mr Burton’s grieving family previously issued a statement, describing him as a “cheeky chap” who was “always so close to his Mum” and would be greatly missed by his family.
The case has now been passed to the coroner’s office following the conclusion of police inquiries.