This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-manchester-16367931
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Anuj Bidve murder: Police apologise for Facebook death news | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A police chief has apologised to the father of an Indian student shot in the head on Boxing Day after it emerged he found out about the murder on Facebook. | |
| Anuj Bidve, 23, was shot dead at close range in Ordsall Lane in Salford, Greater Manchester, in the early hours. | |
| Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley said Mr Bidve's father read a post on the social-networking site before officers were able to deliver the news. | |
| A £50,000 reward has been offered by police to find the killer. | |
| Three teenagers arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail. | |
| A fourth teenager, aged 19, and a 20-year-old man are still being questioned by detectives. | |
| ACC Copley said: "That is not the way anyone should have to find out something so devastating and we completely understand how upset the family are. | |
| "Social networking is instantaneous and we have no control over when and what people post on such sites, but no-one should hear such tragic news in this way." | |
| "I want to reassure the family that staff across the whole of Greater Manchester Police are working on this investigation night and day to bring those responsible for Anuj's murder to justice." | |
| Mr Bidve, a student at Lancaster University, was in a group of nine Indian students who were visiting Greater Manchester during the holidays. | |
| Officers believe he was shot by a white man in his early-20s and are treating the killing murder as a hate crime. | Officers believe he was shot by a white man in his early-20s and are treating the killing murder as a hate crime. |
| 'Working very hard' | |
| ACC Copley added: "A family liaison officer was quickly put in place after Anuj's murder who made exhaustive inquiries to try and inform the family and deliver the awful news personally. | |
| "Unfortunately, as the officer was attempting to contact the family through the right channels, a post was put on Facebook. | |
| "Since then, we have had two family liaison officers in regular contact with Anuj's immediate family and those who speak on his behalf to keep them updated about every step of the progress of the investigation. | |
| "Greater Manchester Police is also working very hard to bring the family over to Manchester as soon as possible. | |
| "For reasons beyond the family's control, it is unlikely they will be able to do so until early next week so the force is putting plans in place to send officers to India to offer support." | |
| Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live earlier, the victim's father said his family were "really worried" about the repatriation of his son. | |
| "The last four days we have been feeling so much trauma because we are yet to know when Anuj can come back," he said. | |
| "We are really worried. All family members are worried about it. | |
| "Everyone at home, they are all shattered and waiting for his remains to do all religious things." | |
| In response, Ms Copley said "We understand how important this is for the family and we are working closely with the coroner to ensure the family can bring Anuj's body home as soon as possible. | |
| "The body cannot be released at this stage of the investigation but we are doing everything we can to respect the family's wish." | |
| Police are urging anyone with information to contact them. |