A SENIOR police officers say he is "determined" to find out how a 42-year-old man died after being punched to the ground outside a pub.

Kieren O'Rourke was assaulted outside the Boars Head pub in High Street, Dunmow, at about 11.50pm on Saturday, April 8. 

The strike caused him to fall to the ground and sustain a serious head injury.

Mr O'Rourke, of Barnards Field, in Thaxted, was taken to Broomfield Hospital, in Chelmsford and later transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where he died on Tuesday, April 18.

A post mortem examination gave a preliminary cause of death as a head injury.

A 30-year-old man from Stansted Mountfitchet was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and released under investigation. Enquiries are ongoing.

In a statement, Mr O’Rourke’s family said: “We as a family are devastated by the tragic loss our Kieren, a loving father, son and brother."

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore said: “This is a tragic loss of life and I am determined to establish exactly how Kieren received this injury.

“I am in no doubt that there are witnesses who saw Kieren involved in an altercation with another man outside The Boars Head about 11.45pm on April 8.

“I appeal for those witnesses or anyone with information about the incident, including those who have CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage to come forward."

Anyone with information on Mr O'Rourke's death should contact the Harlow Major Investigation Team on 101 or email scdappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk.