Further investigation update following death of man in Bournemouth
Detectives are issuing a further investigation update following enquiries into the death of a man in Bournemouth.
At around 3am on Monday 6 April 2026 officers received a report of an assault outside MyBar in Charminster Road.
A man – named by his family as 41-year-old James Blanch from Christchurch – was very sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are continuing to keep his family updated with developments in the investigation.
After detailed enquiries by the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), 35-year-old Rico Wilson has been charged with murder and he is next due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on Friday 10 July 2026.
In the early stages of the investigation, two men from Bournemouth – aged 37 and 46 – and a 34-year-old man from Poole were arrested on suspicion of murder.
They have all now been released without charge in relation to the murder. The 37-year-old man from Bournemouth was further arrested for a public order offence and assaulting an emergency worker. He remains released under investigation for these offences.
A 39-year-old man from Bournemouth who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Detectives are continuing to urge anyone with information that might assist their investigation to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55260048268. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online using its website or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
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