An investigation is underway after a man’s body was discovered by the roadside in Brentwood, prompting a police appeal for witnesses and footage.

Essex Police were called to Lincolns Lane in Pilgrims Hatch at around 5:45am on Wednesday (March 19) following reports of a body found near the road. A man in his 30s was pronounced dead at the scene.

A cordon remains in place while officers continue their enquiries to determine the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

Although the investigation is ongoing, police have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as a murder at this stage.

Appeal for Information

Officers are now appealing to the public for help and have issued a request for anyone who may have doorbell or dashcam footage from the Lincolns Lane or Coxtie Green Road area during the evening of Tuesday, March 18, and early hours of Wednesday, March 19 to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood said:

“I would like to reassure the community that this is not a murder investigation, but rather an investigation into how, sadly, this man came to be found at the roadside.
We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the facts of this case, particularly around the circumstances in which this man died.”

He added:

“While I know this incident will be shocking for the community, I would ask those locally to think carefully about anything they may have seen or heard on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in the vicinity of Lincolns Lane.
In particular, doorbell or dashcam footage of people or vehicles seen in Lincolns Lane in this timeframe may be key.”

An online portal has now been set up for members of the public to securely submit any footage or information.

Police have also urged the public not to speculate about the circumstances of the death, especially on social media, as investigations continue.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident 0109 of 19 March 2025.