“Devoted dad” Liam Smith, 38, shot dead and doused in acid outside Wigan home

A “devoted dad” from Wigan whose body was found “smoking and covered in white powder,” had been fatally shot and had acid poured over his body, Greater Manchester Police revealed today.

Liam Smith, 38, was found dead outside his home on Thursday evening with a mysterious “potentially hazardous substance” on his body.

A murder squad forensics team had been working since Thursday night to identify the substance and have now said it was acid. Police had been warning anyone in direct contact with the body at the scene in Kilburn Drive, Shevington, Wigan, to speak to officers or seek medical advice immediately.

Liam’s family paid the following tribute last night: “Liam was kind-hearted, funny, the life and soul of the party. He was the most devoted dad, much loved son, brother, grandson and uncle. He will sorely be missed by all who knew and loved him.”

They have asked for privacy at this time to grieve.

On his Facebook page Liam can be seen in many photos enjoying life and quality time with his family and on adventures out and about with his sons and friends and involved in outdoor pursuits.

Police were called to Kilburn Drive on Thursday shortly after a member of the public discovered Mr Smith’s body on a path between two houses which led to open fields.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as “very odd”, adding: “The body appeared to have smoke coming off it and was covered in white powder.”

Greater Manchester Police had warned that anyone who had been in direct contact with the body should contact them or seek medical advice immediately, but added that the incident scene had been contained, and they believed there was “no wider risk to the surrounding area.”

A police update today said that “at around 7pm on Thursday 24 November 2022 officers were called to reports of a deceased body on Kilburn Drive, Shevington, Wigan.

“Initial information indicates that 38-year-old Liam Smith was the subject of a fatal gunshot wound and an acid attack.

“Detectives are working tirelessly to establish the exact details of this murder, which took place in unique and shocking circumstances on a quiet residential street.”

Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand from GMP’s Major Incident Team, who is leading this investigation said: “This is a shocking murder of a much-loved family man.

“I have a team of detectives working around the clock and I urge anyone who has seen anything unusual or out of the ordinary near to the victim’s home during the day and early evening of Thursday 24 November to contact the Major Incident Room.

“This is the first fatal shooting in the Greater Manchester area for over two years and we are determined to recover the weapon and find Liam’s killer.

“Specialist officers are taking precautions surrounding this incident and please do not be alarmed when they are seen in the area wearing protective clothing, as mentioned before this is purely precautionary as per the standard procedure at the scene.”

The public can provide police with any helpful information via the LiveChat function on gmp.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting incident number 910 of 25/11/2022, or in an emergency dial 999.