Three people arrested after a Portuguese man was killed have been told they are no longer suspects.

Two men aged 33 and 48 and a 22-year-old woman, all from Crawley, were arrested hours after Joao Esteves was found dying in an alleyway between Stephenson Way and Haslett Avenue East.

Mr Esteves, 45, was found with serious head injuries at 3.25am on Sunday January 19 and was taken to hospital but died later.

They were questioned on suspicion of murder but all have now been released from bail and told no action will be taken against them.

A fourth person, Daniel Palmer, 23, of Maunsell Park, Station Hill, Crawley, was charged with murder last month.

He is due to appear at Hove Crown Court on Monday March 31.

Detective Inspector Wendy Burton, of Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: "We believe Mr Esteves was attacked somewhere near Haslett Avenue East cycle path, opposite Three Bridges football club, between 2.30am and 3.25am on 19 January.

"We would still like to speak to anyone who was in the area that night who has not spoken to us yet. We would particularly like to speak to people who saw Mr Esteves being attacked or who saw or spoke to Daniel Palmer at around that time.

"If you have any information at all, please contact us."

Anyone with information about the death should call 101 quoting Operation Atlas, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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