A murder hunt is under way after a man was found dead following a violent robbery in Marylebone.

The body of Michael Walser, 45, was discovered by members of his family at his flat in Gloucester Terrace, Paddington, on Sunday June 24, after attempts to contact him had failed.

Mr Walser, who was unemployed, had been the victim of a street robbery just five days earlier where he was pushed to the floor - hitting his head on the ground.

The suspect, a white male, approached Mr Walser from behind just after he had turned into Church Street after getting �100 from a Post Office cash machine in Edgware Road.

Mr Walser was on his way to a meeting with his housing provider but it was at this point that he was pushed to the ground and had his cash stolen.

The Wood&Vale understands that Mr Walser had not gone to hospital following the attack and instead went home and called his family.

Despite living alone, Mr Walser – who had many friends in the area – was very close to his family, who would ring him frequently to see how he was.

A post mortem gave the cause of death as head injury and as a result, police have now launched a murder investigation.

Officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen Mr Walser on the day of the robbery or anyone who saw someone acting suspiciously to get in touch.

Det Ch Insp Andy Manning said: “Mr Walser was a man loved by his family and friends and who kept himself to himself.

“I believe that this was an opportunistic crime as we know he had just picked the money up and was going to an appointment.

“This was an unprovoked, senseless attack on an innocent man. I appeal to anyone with information that may assist police, or who knew Mr Walser, to contact the incident room.”

Anyone with information should call police on 020 8358 0300 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 26-year-old man was arrested on June 28. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.