Essex Murder Suspect Released In Linas Buta Case, Wales 2026

Key Points

• North Wales Police have officially closed their investigation into the murder of 49-year-old Linas Buta.
• A 40-year-old male from Essex, arrested on suspicion of murder in April, has been released without any further action.
• Mr Buta’s death took place at a house on Bryn Glas, Rhos, near Wrexham on Friday, March 27.
• According to police, this move was taken after a thorough examination of all the evidence available.
• Report compilation and submission to the coroner has started.
• The development has been made known to Mr Buta’s family.
• DI Rob Mahoney thanked members of the public for their cooperation.
• An inquest has been opened in HM Coroner’s Court, Ruthin on April 7.
• Acute left subdural haemorrhage from blunt head injury was provisionally stated as the cause of death.
• Police had initially suspected that Mr Buta was involved in a physical fight at Bonc Wen Car Park in Rhos on March 26.

Wales (Wales Times) October 28, 2026 – An Essex man arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of Linas Buta in North Wales will face no further action, North uk/police/">Wales Police has confirmed. The force said it has closed its investigation into the 49-year-old’s death following a review of the evidence, and a report will now be submitted to the coroner.

As reported by the Brentwood Weekly News, the 40-year-old man was arrested in April in connection with Mr Buta’s death at a property in Bryn Glas, Rhos, near Wrexham, on Friday, March 27. The force had previously said the man was from the Essex area and had been released on bail while enquiries continued.

North Wales Police confirmed on Wednesday morning that the man has now been released with no further action. The investigation into Mr Buta’s death has been closed, and the force said Mr Buta’s family has been informed.

What Did North Wales Police Say?

Detective Inspector Rob Mahoney said the investigation was closed after officers reviewed the evidence gathered during the case.

As reported by the Leader, Detective Inspector Mahoney said: “Following a comprehensive review of the evidence in this case, the police investigation into Linas Buta’s death has been closed.”

He added: “Our thoughts remain with his family.”

The detective inspector also thanked people who came forward during the investigation. “I would like to thank all members of the public who contacted us at the time to assist with our enquiries,” he said.

North Wales Police said a report is being compiled and will be submitted to the coroner. The force did not announce any further arrests or criminal proceedings in connection with Mr Buta’s death.

Who Was Linas Buta?

Linas Buta was a 49-year-old man who lived on Bryn Glas in Rhos, near Wrexham. According to reporting by Nation.Cymru, he was born in Lithuania on January 10, 1977.

Mr Buta died at a property on Bryn Glas on Friday, March 27. North Wales Police launched a murder investigation after confirming that he died with a head injury.

Officers believed Mr Buta may have been involved in a physical altercation the day before his death. Police said the suspected incident was thought to have taken place at around midday on Thursday, March 26, at Bonc Wen Car Park in Rhos.

What Happened During The Police Investigation?

North Wales Police issued a renewed appeal for information in April as detectives continued their enquiries. The force asked anyone with information about the alleged altercation or Mr Buta’s movements to contact officers.

On Thursday, April 23, police arrested a 40-year-old man from the Essex area on suspicion of murder. As reported by Nation.Cymru, the man was later released on bail while investigations continued.

WalesOnline also reported the arrest, stating that the detained man was from the Essex region and had been released on bail pending further enquiries.

The arrest came after police said Mr Buta was believed to have been involved in a physical altercation before his death. Officers had appealed for witnesses and information from the local community.

What Did The Inquest Hear?

An inquest into Mr Buta’s death was formally opened at HM Coroner’s Court in Ruthin on Tuesday, April 7. The hearing was conducted by John Gittins, Senior Coroner for North Wales East and Central.

As reported by Nation.Cymru, the inquest heard that a post-mortem examination was carried out on March 30 by Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers. The provisional cause of death was given as an acute left subdural haemorrhage caused by a blunt force head injury.

The inquest was opened as part of the coroner’s legal duty but was adjourned while the police investigation continued. At that stage, no date had been set for a full hearing.

Following the closure of the police investigation, North Wales Police said a report would be compiled for the coroner. This means the coronial process will continue separately from the criminal investigation.

Why Has The Suspect Been Released?

North Wales Police said the 40-year-old man was released with no further action after a comprehensive review of the evidence. The force did not publish further detail about the reasons for the decision.

“Released with no further action” means police are not pursuing charges against the individual in relation to the investigation. It does not, in itself, provide a public finding about how Mr Buta died; that question remains within the coroner’s process.

The decision was announced on Wednesday, October 28. Police confirmed that the investigation had been closed and that Mr Buta’s family had been informed.

What Happens Next?

The next formal step is the preparation of a report for the coroner. North Wales Police said this report will be submitted following the closure of the criminal investigation.

The inquest into Mr Buta’s death had already been opened in April. It was adjourned at that time while police enquiries were ongoing, and the coroner’s court will determine the next stage once it receives the relevant material.

No date for a full inquest hearing was given in the latest police update. The force has not indicated whether any further public appeal will be issued.

What Did Local And Regional Media Report?

The Brentwood Weekly News reported that the Essex man would face no further action after being arrested over Mr Buta’s death. The publication noted that the arrest had taken place in April and that the man had initially been released on bail.

Essex County News carried the same update, reporting that North Wales Police confirmed the man’s release following a review of the evidence. It also repeated the force’s statement that the investigation had been closed and a report would be submitted to the coroner.

The Leader reported the development under the headline “Murder investigation closed following death of Wrexham man”. It highlighted Detective Inspector Mahoney’s statement, the police thanks to the public, and the confirmation that the family had been informed.

Nation.Cymru had previously reported the opening of the inquest and the provisional medical cause of death. It also reported the arrest of the 40-year-old Essex-area man on April 23.

WalesOnline reported the arrest at the time, confirming that the suspect was from the Essex region and had been released on bail while the investigation continued.

Background Of The Development

The case began after Linas Buta died at his home area of Bryn Glas in Rhos on March 27. North Wales Police treated the death as a murder investigation after establishing that Mr Buta had suffered a head injury.

Detectives believed he may have been involved in a physical altercation at Bonc Wen Car Park in Rhos on the previous day, March 26. Police appealed for witnesses and information as part of their enquiries.

An inquest was opened on April 7 at HM Coroner’s Court in Ruthin. The court heard provisional evidence that Mr Buta died from an acute left subdural haemorrhage caused by a blunt force head injury.

A 40-year-old man from the Essex area was arrested on suspicion of murder on April 23 and later released on bail. North Wales Police have now said that, after reviewing the evidence, the man will face no further action and the murder investigation has been closed.

How Could This Development Affect The Local Community?

For residents of Rhos and the wider Wrexham area, the closure of the murder investigation may bring an end to the immediate police appeal for information connected with Mr Buta’s death. North Wales Police thanked local people who contacted officers during the enquiry.

For Mr Buta’s family and friends, the development means the criminal investigation has ended, while the coronial process continues. The force said the family has been informed, and the coroner will receive a police report as part of the ongoing inquest process.

For people in Essex, particularly those who followed the arrest of the 40-year-old local-area man, the update confirms that no further action will be taken against him. The police statement did not provide additional information about the individual or the evidential review.

The development may also affect how residents view ongoing safety concerns around the reported altercation location at Bonc Wen Car Park. However, North Wales Police have not issued any new warning, charge, or public-safety instruction following the closure of the investigation.