Murder squad detectives today appealed for help to trace the last movements of a good Samaritan who died six days after he was beaten and robbed at his home.

A murder inquiry was launched today after Bryan Michael Smith, of Windhill, Shipley, lost his fight for life in hospital.

Mr Smith, of Rochester Street, was beaten and robbed at his home in the early hours of New Year's Day. He was attacked by up to three people who fled with some of his cash.

The 41-year-old collapsed several hours later and was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary with what was suspected to be a blood clot on his brain. He was put on a life-support machine in intensive care but was pronounced dead by doctors at 5.45pm yesterday. Detective Superintendent Phil Sedgwick, who is leading the inquiry, said: "Mr Smith was at a party in the Royal Pub in Crag Road before he made his way home to his flat in the early hours of New Year's Day.

"We want to hear from anybody who saw him at this party or who saw him as he walked home. We don't know what route he took home, but he was on foot.

"The pub is two to three hundreds yards away from his flat so we want to hear from any witnesses who saw him to contact the incident room at Shipley police station on 01274 537459." Officers today carried out a finger-tip search of the area around Mr Smith's flat while colleagues undertook house-to-house inquires.

Neighbours of Mr Smith have described him as "a good Samaritan" and "a lionheart".

He is said to have run errands for local pensioners and was well known after living in the block of flats for 16 years.

On Friday, a 30-year-old woman was arrested by Keighley police but later released.

A 29-year-old man was today in police custody in connection with the incident.