On Wednesday afternoon, October 8, 2025, tragedy struck the quiet Northamptonshire town of Raunds when David Morgan, a well-known 73-year-old resident, was found dead in his Brook Street flat above a local hairdresser’s. The news sent shockwaves through the community, igniting grief, anger, and an urgent call for justice that continues to reverberate across the town and beyond.
Morgan, affectionately known by friends and neighbors as "Davie" or "Morgy," had been a fixture in Raunds for years. Described as a "character, a loud Scottish man with broad accent and broad opinions – a real character indeed," according to a spokesman from Jesters Cafe speaking to the Northants Telegraph, he was remembered not just for his personality but for his generosity and love of football. "But the Morg was a generous dude, an excellent footballer in his day and a huge fan of football," the spokesman added. His boisterous spirit, sometimes mistaken for rudeness, had nonetheless won him many friends in the area.
The shock of his death was compounded by the revelation that Morgan had been attacked less than a week prior, on October 2. That assault left him with broken ribs and required hospital care. Neighbors had rallied around him in the aftermath, offering help and support as he recovered from his injuries. The subsequent news of his murder left many devastated, with some openly sobbing when they learned of the police investigation and the arrests that followed.
In the days immediately following Morgan’s death, Northamptonshire Police moved quickly. On Thursday, October 9, a 38-year-old woman from Thrapston was arrested on suspicion of murder. She was later bailed as the investigation continued. But the case did not end there. Over the next two days, police arrested four more individuals: a 52-year-old man from Kettering, a 42-year-old man from Wellingborough, a 42-year-old woman from Kettering, and a 42-year-old woman of no fixed abode. All were taken into custody on suspicion of murder and burglary, as reported by BBC News and the Northants Telegraph.
Detective Chief Superintendent Rich Tompkins of Northamptonshire Police provided regular updates, emphasizing the scale and urgency of the investigation. "We have a very large number of officers and detectives working around the clock on this case exploring all evidential opportunities including CCTV and doorbell footage and forensics," Tompkins stated, according to BBC News. He went on to reassure the public: "We want to reassure people that we do not believe there is a wider threat to the public in terms of this investigation."
By Sunday, October 12, the four most recently arrested suspects were released on conditional bail pending further inquiries. The earlier-arrested Thrapston woman had also been released on bail. The police stressed that their investigation was far from over. "Northamptonshire Police continue to work around the clock on the case and have appealed for anyone with information to contact them on 101," BBC News reported. The force encouraged anyone with leads to call 101 and quote incident reference number 25000592112, or submit information online through dedicated portals.
The community’s response has been one of mourning, unity, and frustration. Outside Christina Dudley Hair Design, where Morgan lived, bouquets of flowers and a wreath have been placed as a tribute. A card on the wreath poignantly read, "There’s many a thing that made wee Morgy angry, but the thing that has made the whole town angry is the fact that he was taken too soon. Rest easy Morgy, you didn’t deserve this. May justice be swift." Locals have not only honored his memory but have also voiced concerns about his situation prior to his death. Some believe Morgan should have been offered emergency accommodation, reflecting a sense that more could have been done to protect him after the first attack.
The circumstances of Morgan’s death have also prompted a review of police conduct. Because there had been previous contact between Northamptonshire Police and Morgan—specifically after the earlier assault—the force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. This move, as reported by the Northants Telegraph, underscores the seriousness with which the police are treating both the investigation and their own accountability.
For many in Raunds, the events of the past week have been a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities that can exist within even the closest-knit communities. The traders, neighbors, and friends who knew Morgan best have expressed a mixture of grief and determination. "The local community is shocked, angry, sad and disappointed," said the Jesters Cafe spokesman. "This is a very very sad case. Fingers crossed he gets justice," another local added, echoing the town’s collective hope that the investigation will bring clarity and closure.
As the inquiry continues, police have reiterated their appeal for assistance. Anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in Brook Street around the time of Morgan’s death, or who has relevant CCTV or doorbell footage, is urged to come forward. The public’s help, officers note, could prove vital in piecing together the events that led to Morgan’s death and ensuring those responsible are held to account.
While the investigation unfolds, Raunds remains united in its remembrance of a man who, despite his flaws, left an indelible mark on those around him. The floral tributes, heartfelt messages, and ongoing conversations in local cafes and shops are testament to the impact Morgan had on his community. As one card left at the scene so aptly put it, the anger felt by many is not just for the loss of a neighbor, but for the loss of a character who made the town a livelier, more colorful place.
The coming weeks will be crucial as detectives sift through evidence, interview witnesses, and await further forensic results. The police’s commitment, combined with the community’s resolve, offers hope that justice for David Morgan—Morgy, Davie, or simply a friend to many—will not be long in coming.
