Police have reopened a decade-old attack investigation following the death of the victim - and are treating it as murder. Ashley McGurk, known locally as Ashley Thomas, died in a care home in Rochdale in January 2021, having spent nearly ten years of his life needing specialist support.
The 32-year-old, from Harpurhey, suffered severe brain damage after he was seriously assaulted whilst walking home from a party near Harpurhey shopping precinct on Christmas Eve 2011. READ MORE:Furious horse rider slams driver who she says 'could have killed her' in shocking footage The unprovoked attack left Ashley in a coma for several months, and meant he had to spend the rest of his life in care.
Now, an extensive pathologist's report has confirmed that the assault 10 years ago ultimately caused Ashley's death, prompting police to reopen their investigation as a murder probe.
Three arrests were made after the attack and two males were released with no further action taken. One male was charged but the case was dismissed by the court.
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