Horrified son finds father stabbed to death in family home following botched burglary

A murder investigation has been launched after a horrified son found his father stabbed to death in the family home following a botched burglary.

The body of Anthony Fisher, 58, was discovered inside the house on a residential street in Carlton, Nottingham, by his son at around 3pm on Saturday.

Today, detectives revealed they have started a murder inquiry into the death of 'popular' Mr Fisher, who worked for a healthcare trust in the area.

They also said they believe the raiders targeted the semi-detached property because they thought there was a stash of money inside it.

After forcing their way into the premises at some point on Friday night, the intruders then apparently attacked the maintenance worker with a knife, stabbing him to death.

During a press conference at the scene today, Detective Superintendent Rob Griffin, of Nottinghamshire Police, said the incident was 'unsettling'.

He added: "We are working on the basis that Tony was targeted not on the basis that he was Tony, but on the hypothesis that those who went into that house did so because they believed there was a substantial amount of money inside.

"We are focusing on the time period of 10.30 to 11pm on Friday. We know there was a burglary that happened at Tony's house. We do not know what happened thereafter, but we are linking the two.

"It is really important that anyone who was in the area gets in touch with us. Tony was a popular and well-known local man, and we want to talk to anyone who may have seen him on that Friday evening so we can establish a timeline."

Police refused to say how much, if any, cash they believed was kept at the house, or if anything was taken.

It was also not disclosed how many times Mr Fisher, who lived alone, had been stabbed, if there was any evidence of a struggle, or if any weapon had been recovered.

No-one has been arrested in connection with the killing. Police have been carrying out door-to-door inquiries in the area, as well as searching local gardens, bins and drains.

Forensic investigations were also continuing today at Mr Fisher's cordoned-off home, where he had lived for 20 years.

DS Griffin said it was 'difficult to say at this stage' if Mr Fisher's death involved one or more attackers, adding officers were 'keen to catch those responsible' as soon as possible.

Detective Superintendent Kate Meynell, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: "The assistance of the local community will be vital to our investigation.

'We very much want to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything that may have seemed unusual or out of the ordinary in Coningswath Road in the days leading up to the discovery of the victim's body.

"Were there any individuals acting strangely or a vehicle which is not usually seen in the area, for example?

"If anyone has any information at all, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, we would like to hear from you as soon as possible."

Neighbours spoke of their shock at the death of Mr Fisher.

One, who asked not to be named, said: "It is normally very peaceful around here. Everyone is completely devastated that this has happened on our doorsteps, and can't believe it.

"I don't feel particularly safe anymore and hope they catch whoever did it quickly."

Mr Fisher worked for Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust for 26 years.

The trust said in a statement: "We can confirm that, sadly, one of our employees has died and we offer our sincere condolences to Anthony's friends and family."