POLICE investigating a murder after a body was found at a flat in Dorchester have identified the victim.

The man has been formally identified as Elliot Handley, 47, of Eastleigh.

Crime scene investigators and detectives have returned to Compass House at The Grove in the county town this morning to continue to investigate the man’s death after his body was found late on Tuesday night.

The cordoned off area, which includes Compass House, the Dorchester Collection car dealership and a neighbouring property, remains in place.

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery.

Two police cars and a dog unit from the force also attended the Icen Farm Estate in Bincombe as they continue to probe the man’s murder.

Police swooped on Compass House on The Grove in the county town late on Tuesday night and discovered a man’s body in the residential property above the Dorchester Collection car dealership.

The man was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

He has not yet been identified, but the coroner has been informed.

A murder investigation, led by detectives from Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, is ongoing.

One 43-year-old man from the Dorchester area was arrested on Tuesday night on suspicion of murder, and at approximately 6.30am on Wednesday morning, a 47-year-old man from Dorchester and a 69-year-old man from Weymouth were also arrested on suspicion of murder.

All three are currently helping police with their enquiries.

Speaking to the Echo at Compass House in Dorchester, Detective Inspector Mark Prince said there had been no updates overnight to the murder, and police were currently trying to trace the deceased man’s next of kin to inform them of his death.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said the murder was not linked to the arrests of two people in Weymouth on Tuesday afternoon, which was in relation to a separate murder probe after the body of Phillip Nicholson, 22, from Poole, was found in Bournemouth.

The residential flat where the body was found, the Dorchester Collection car dealership also in Compass House and a bungalow next to the dealership, were all cordoned off by police.

The cordon is expected to remain in place until later today (Thursday) as the investigation continues.

Police officers were stationed around the car dealership throughout yesterday, and the force’s scientific investigators also attended the scene around midday to examine the residential flat and the rest of the site.

Police officers also conducted house-to-house enquiries throughout yesterday.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Jez Noyce, of Dorset Police’s MCIT, said: “Following the discovery of a man’s body, Dorset Police has launched a murder investigation.

“Enquiries are now underway to establish exactly what happened yesterday.

“I am appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in The Grove or has any other information that could be useful, to please call my urgently.

“All calls will be treated in strict confidence.”

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service, who also attended the incident, confirmed paramedics declared the man dead at the scene.

At a press conference earlier today, Detective Inspector Gemma Morris from Dorset Police said: “At 9.50pm yesterday police were called to a flat at Compass House at The Grove in Dorchester, where we discovered the body of an unidentified male.

“The circumstances of the death are being treated as suspicious, and we are investigating the matter with our Major Crime Investigation Team.

“A 43-year-old man from Dorchester was arrested on suspicion of murder and this morning (Wednesday) two further arrests were made of a 47-year-old man from Dorchester and a 69-year-old man from Weymouth in connection to this matter.

“We are looking to establish exactly what happened yesterday and we would appeal to anybody who has seen anything suspicious in The Grove area since May 22 to contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting Operation Brisk.”

Witnesses and anyone with information are urged to call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident Operation Brisk, or call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.