Murder investigation launched following the death of a man from Wakefield
Last updated 5th Jan 2026
Police are launching a murder investigation after the death of a man in Wakefield.
Officers were called to Crofton on Christmas Eve where they found 72 year old Stephen Jedynak unresponsive - he passed away a few days later.
An appeal has now been launched to ask for anyone with information to come forward.
A Police statement said:
"Stephen Jedynak, 72, was taken to hospital on Wednesday 24 December after the ambulance service attended at his home in Crofton following a report of concern for his welfare.
"He was found unresponsive and was sadly pronounced dead on the morning of 27 December.
"The death was referred to West Yorkshire Police by the Coroner’s Office and detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team have now launched a murder investigation.
"They believe Stephen had been assaulted on Thorntree Court, Crofton, on Tuesday 23 December."
Leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Michael Cox said:
“I understand that this incident may cause concern in the local area and would like to reassure people that this was believed to be a targeted assault with no wider risk to the public.
“A thorough investigation is underway to establish how Stephen came to lose his life and his family are being supported by specialist officers.
“I would like to appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Thorntree Court area in the time surrounding this incident to please come forward.”