A GRIEVING friend has paid tribute to a neighbour “with a heart of gold” after police launched a murder probe into the death in a quiet village.

Donald Ralph, 83, was found dead at a bungalow in Halstead Road, Aldham.

Police were first called at about 1pm on Monday, responding to reports a man had been found unresponsive inside the property.

One grieving neighbour described Mr Ralph as a friend with a “heart of gold, who was one of the nicest men you could hope to meet.”

Read more >>> Aldham murder probe: Tributes to 'young at heart' Donald Ralph, 83

Essex Police are appealing for witnesses and footage of the nearby area from Monday afternoon onwards.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Egerton, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “We are supporting Mr Ralph’s family at this distressing time and would like to thank residents for the support they have given his family, as well as the help they have given our officers.

“We are progressing our enquiries and from the information we have gained so far, we believe this was a targeted incident.

“It has been established that Mr Ralph’s car, a blue Volvo V50 registration plate HD08 YFV, is missing and we are continuing enquiries to locate it.

"We are also checking if anything else is missing from his property."

Jackie Daines, chairwoman of Aldham Parish Council, said the village's community was in shock following the incident.

She said: “You read about things like this in the news but never expect them to happen in your backyard.

“Aldham is a tiny village with barely 500 residents and a lot of people know each other.

“For some elderly residents it might be a bit unsettling but we will all have to look after our neighbours.

“Any information should be passed to the police as I imagine any minor detail could make a difference.”

Brian Jarvis, Colchester councillor for Lexden and Braiswick, said: “I am totally shocked and absolutely stunned by the news.

“Aldham is a small and lovely village.

“It is completely tragic and something you do not expect to happen in a place like this.

“It is a close knit community and it is likely residents knew the victim.”

Call the Major Crime Team on 101, quoting incident 512 of December 29.