Arrests made in investigation into murder of Ernest Deputat in Southampton

Two men have been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Ernest Deputat in Southampton.

The pair were arrested on Monday (16 February) in separate operations in Bradford and Newham. A 30-year-old man was detained in Bradford, while a 34-year-old man was arrested in Newham, London. Both were arrested on suspicion of murder and have since been transferred to Southampton, where they remain in custody.

The arrests come four months after the body of 45-year-old Ernest was discovered in woodland on Southampton Common. He was found by a member of the public on Wednesday, 8 October, 2025, near the wildlife reserve just north of the Ornamental Lake. Police confirmed that evidence of a fire was identified at the scene during initial enquiries.

Officers have established that Ernest, a Polish national, had been living off-grid and was known among the city’s homeless community. Detectives have been working to piece together his movements and better understand his lifestyle in the period leading up to his death.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Gillooly, who is leading the investigation, said: “These arrests are an important step in our work to provide answers to Ernest’s family and to the community about what happened to him, but we still need to hear from anyone who might have information which could assist us.

“We have undertaken a large-scale investigation since Ernest’s body was found in October, looking to understand his movements around the time of his death and his lifestyle.

“If you have any information, not only about his tragic death but about any aspect of Ernest’s life, then we want to hear from you. It may be vitally important to our investigation.”

Police are urging anyone with information to contact them on 101 or via their website, quoting case reference 44250456238.

Information can also be provided anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers, which is offering a £20,000 reward for information passed directly to them.

DCI Gillooly added: “I know that some people may not be comfortable coming directly to the police, but will still have information which could be really important to our enquiries.

“Crimestoppers guarantee anonymity, allowing you to provide information to them without ever giving your personal details.

“I want to urge you to come forward to allow us to provide Ernest’s family with the answers they deserve.”

Crimestoppers can be contacted online or by calling 0800 555 111. The charity operates independently from the police and guarantees complete anonymity. Telephone calls are not recorded, there is no caller line display and computer IP addresses are not traced. The £20,000 reward is only payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers, and callers must request a reward code at the time of contact.