Timothy Macdonald died earlier this week (Picture: Leicestershire Police)

A heartbroken family has paid tribute to a ‘much-loved’ father who was found dead in a field in Leicestershire.

Timothy Macdonald was discovered in an area of land off Highgate Lane in the village of Plungar at around 3.30pm on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old, who was also known as Don, is believed to have suffered a head injury and police are treating his death as suspicious.

A murder investigation is ongoing and Mr Macdonald’s family have now issued a statement following his death.

‘We are heartbroken and devastated,’ they said. ‘Timothy was a much-loved son, father, brother and son-in-law who will be missed so much by all of us.

‘We ask for privacy while we now try to come to terms with what has happened.

‘We also ask that anyone with any information who has not yet spoken to police please does so as soon as possible. Thank you.’

Mr Macdonald was found dead in a field in Highgate Lane in Plungar (Picture: LincolnshireLive/MEN)

The 46-year-old’s death is being treated as murder (Picture: SWNS)

A 56-year-old man from Grantham who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released under investigation.

Meanwhile on Thursday, another man police were following in connection with the investigation into Mr Macdonald’s suspected murder died from serious head injuries inside a car after he was stopped by armed officers.

The man, also 46, was being followed by Leicestershire Police on the A52 Bingham bypass, near Nottingham, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

As officers approached the silver Mazda Tamura, the driver was found to have suffered a serious injury to his head and a non-police issue gun was discovered inside the vehicle.

He was given first aid but was pronounced dead at the scene at around 12.30am.

Leicestershire Police made a mandatory referral of the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and said it will co-operate fully.

Police are still investigating the incident (Picture: SWNS)

Detective inspector David Greenhalgh, from the East Midlands special operations unit said: ‘Our enquiries following the discovery of a man’s body in Plungar remain ongoing as we continue to establish the full circumstances of what has happened.

‘Specialist officers are providing support to the man’s family at this time.

‘We do continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Plungar area on Tuesday afternoon or who has any information in relation to the incident to come forward to us.

‘Did you see anyone go into a field? Did you see or hear anything unusual or which caused you concern?

‘I understand there will be concern in the community and our officers remain in the area offering reassurance as our enquiries continue. Please do speak with them.

‘Thank you to everyone who has provided information to us and for your continued support at this time.’

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‘We are devastated and heartbroken.’