A 48-YEAR-OLD man has been rebailed as part of a murder inquiry.
Thomas Mercer took ill shortly after returning home from a local pub, where there had been ‘an altercation’.
The 56-year-old, who was known as Tam, collapsed in his bedroom in Birch Hall Avenue and died at Royal Blackburn Hospital in the early hours of November 5.
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Mr Mercer, a step-father-of-eight, had been in the Bob Inn pub the evening before his death, and had been playing bingo with his partner of 20 years, Margaret Quinn.
Investigations are still ongoing to determine exactly how he came by his injuries.
Mr Mercer’s partner Margaret, who had been with him in the pub the night he died, told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Tam was a much loved partner, a respected and loved father figure to my children as well as an adored grandfather to their grandchildren. I would like to say a big thank you for the lovely words and messages of support.”
A man from Darwen has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is due to answer bail on May 27.
An inquest into Mr Mercer’s death has been opened and adjourned by Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley coroner Michael Singleton.
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