The man police officers found dying in a Dovercourt flat has been named as 30-year-old waiter Stephen Meachen.

Police today (Wednesday) confirmed the man had been living in the flats with his wife and young child. A post mortem carried out this morning showed Mr Meachen died from a single stab wound to the neck.

A murder inquiry has been launched following the discovery of the fatally-wounded man. Police were called to the ground floor flat in Cliff Road at 6.15pm last night (Tuesday).

A police spokeswoman said a special constable and another police officer attempted to resuscitate the man but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said Mr Meachen had worked as a waiter on a North Sea ferry.

Today (Wednesday) police tape cordoned off the flat. Scenes of crime officers worked throughout the night and officers made house to house inquiries and took statements. They were due to continue speaking to neighbours today.

Mr Meachen's wife, aged in her 20s, was arrested last night (Tuesday) and was today (Wednesday) being questioned at Clacton Police Station. The child was in the care of relatives.

Anyone with any information can contact the police on 01206 762122 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

A police car sits outside the cordoned-pff flats in Dovercourt where Mr Meachen was discovered

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