Detectives want to speak to a man and a woman seen close to where the body of James Attfield was found.

The pair were sitting on a bench by the lake near to Lower Castle Park, Colchester, between 11.30 and 11.40pm on Friday, March 28.

Mr Attfield, 33, was found seriously injured with more than 100 stab wounds in the park, close to Guildford Road, shortly before 6am on Saturday March 29. He died a short time later at the scene.

Officers are still piecing together the student’s last movements between 10pm on March 28 – when he left the River Lodge pub and when he was found injured.

Det Chief Insp Simon Werrett, who is leading the case, said: “The man is described as white, of stocky build, and seemed tall with long legs. The only description we have of the woman is that she was white.

“They were sitting at opposite ends of the bench so we do not know for certain if they knew each other, but they may have been a couple who have had a row earlier in the evening and were sitting apart not talking to each other.

“The witness we have spoken to believes that about 10 metres away from where this couple were sat there was also a man sat on the grass who was white, aged 30 to 40 and wearing a dark jacket and possibly jeans. This may, or may not, have been Mr Attfield.

“I am keen to speak to these two people so I can eliminate them from the investigation, but they may also have vital information that could take the inquiry forward. I would urge them or anyone who knows who they are to contact my investigation team.”

A Colchester woman, aged 27, was arrested on Friday, April 11, in connection with the death and is on police bail until Thursday, April 24, pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.