Detectives investigating the death of a teenager in Heywood have made two further arrests.
Callum Riley, 17, was found badly injured in the garden of a property on Atholl Drive on Saturday morning (17 September) and tragically died a short time later.
A murder investigation was swiftly launched by GMP, which has already resulted in a number of people being arrested in connection with Mr Riley's death.
READ MORE: CCTV image released after serious sex attack in town centre
In an update this afternoon (Sunday), the force confirmed a 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and a 23-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
They remain in police custody alongside two men, aged 18 and 33, who were also arrested on suspicion of murder yesterday. A 21-year-old woman has been released and faces no further action.
Police say their investigation is 'very much' ongoing, as they continue to appeal for witnesses. Patrols in the area have also been stepped up in response to the incident, they said.
Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: "Our thoughts remain with Callum’s family, who we are liaising with via a specially trained officer. Our investigation is very much ongoing and we are continuing to appeal for information.
"Officers from the Rochdale district will be providing a visible presence in the coming days to reassure members of the public – anyone with concerns can approach them."
Mr Riley was known affectionately as 'Russell' or 'Russel' to pals due to his similar appearance as a child to a character in a film, local residents told the Manchester Evening News on Saturday. Tributes have been paid by hundreds of people on Facebook since the announcement of his tragic death.
One man who said he found Mr Riley hurt in the garden of a house and desperately tried to perform CPR to help him. "I heard a load of screaming at 4.30am," he said.
"We heard a scream for help and looked outside the bedroom window, but we couldn't see anything. Half an hour later we heard a scream for help again. We just heard screaming, all we could hear was 'help, help'.
"It wasn't until when it was light out, when someone knocked on and said there was a man in a garden. I went in the garden and I called police and they asked me to perform CPR on him. It's a sad thing, a young lad."
Anyone with information should contact GMP via Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or 0161 856 3400 quoting 723 17/09/22. Information can also be shared via the independent charity - Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Police issue update after teenage motorcyclist killed in horror crash which saw road closed for hours
- Third murder arrest after boy left 'screaming for help' in garden dies
- 'First our kids had heart transplants - then my husband suddenly collapsed'
- Where I Live: “I bought a two-bed cottage in Lancashire for £135,000 - it’s full of character and personality”
Millions of couples expected to receive much-needed £2,500 windfall in emergency budget
