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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Neal Keeling

Three arrested after dad, 37, 'abducted and murdered' released under investigation

Three men arrested on suspicion of murder and kidnap after the death of a "loving" dad have been released.

The body of 37-year-old Christopher Hughes from Wigan was found in Skelmersdale on Tuesday last week.

He had suffered multiple injuries and his body was found in a ditch by a dog walker, off White Moss Road South, near the junction with Liverpool Road.

On Tuesday, police said two men - aged 48 and 51 - had been arrested on suspicion of murder and kidnap.

READ MORE: Morbidly obese Manchester boy, 13, died after doctors said he was too fat for surgery

A 29-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap and murder.

Now GMP has confirmed all three have been released under investigation.

Christopher's body was discovered at 11am on Tuesday (GMP)

Mr Hughes had last been seen at about 4pm in the Worsley Hall area of Wigan on February 18th.

Police believe he was abducted and then murdered.

In a statement last week GMP said: "37-year-old Christopher was sadly found dead off White Moss Road South in the Skelmersdale area of Lancashire on Tuesday 22 February 2022

"A post mortem concluded he died as a result of multiple serious injuries."

Christopher's mum, Susan, has paid tribute to him, saying: "The family of Chris wish everyone to respect their privacy at this difficult time and are heartbroken at the loss of their loving son, father, brother and uncle.

"He will leave a part in the family that can never be filled. RIP Christopher David Hughes."

Shortly after 4.30pm on Friday 18 February, a member of the public reported seeing a man being forced into the back of a vehicle on Almond Grove in the Worsley Hall area of Wigan.

An investigation was launched and officers established that this was likely to be Christopher. Extensive enquiries to find Christopher were on going when his body was discovered at 11am on Tuesday.

Detective Chief Inspector Carl Jones, of GMP's Major Incident Team, said: "Our thoughts are with Christopher's loved ones at this time. Specially trained colleagues are supporting them while the investigation team works to establish the full circumstances surrounding the frenzied attack which resulted in his death.

"Our enquiries, in conjunction with colleagues from Lancashire Police, are very much on going, so I would appeal to anyone with information to contact us or Crimestoppers, anonymously.

"At this stage, we are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who had contact with Christopher on Friday before 4.30pm or who saw any people or vehicles behaving suspiciously in the Almond Grove area of Wigan or White Moss area of Skelmersdale between 4.45pm and 6pm."

Anyone with information should contact police quoting Operation Feverfew via 0161 856 3400. Information can also be shared anonymously via, the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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