Detectives investigating the murder of a pensioner in Aldham say they believe three guns were taken from his home around the time of his death. 

Officers are releasing details of two guns believed to have been stolen.

They say they may have been sold on and are asking anyone who has been offered them for sale or knows of their whereabouts to get in touch.

Donald Ralph, 83, was found dead at his home in Halstead Road shortly after 1pm on Tuesday December 29.

Police believe he died in the late afternoon of Monday December 28.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Egerton said: “Don was a registered firearms keeper and we have established three guns are missing from his home.

“From the information we have, we believe they were stolen and may have been sold on, possibly in Colchester or Hastings.

“I am asking anyone who has seen the guns, or been offered them for sale, to please contact us.”

The guns are:

  • A self-loading Ruger Rifle 22 RF, serial number 354-66591.
  • A Browning shot gun 12 bore over/under, serial number 419 13 MW.

Echo: The missing Browning shot gun The missing Browning shot gun

Anyone with information should contact police online at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4201020120P56-PO1. 

Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org.

Two people have been charged in connection with Mr Ralph's death. 

Leighton Snook, 28, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court earlier this week charged with his murder.

Both defendants also face a charge of theft of a motor vehicle.

Snook, of no fixed address, also faces a further charge of possession of an offensive weapon.

Two men, aged 30 and 39, and a 21-year-old woman, all arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have been released on police bail while enquiries continue.