A murder investigation has been launched after the mysterious death of a man from Archway on Wednesday.

Police believe Alexander Stewart, 49, of Henfield Close, Archway, was involved in a fight sometime between December 6 and December 11 that led to fatal chest injuries.

However, officers currently know little about the incident and do not know where it might have happened.

Mr Stewart died at the Whittington Hospital on Wednesday after he was admitted on Monday (December 17) with a fractured sternum and septicaemia.

Police were called to reports of his death at about 1.10am on Wednesday morning by staff at the hospital, in Magdala Avenue, Archway. His family has been informed.

A post mortem at St Pancras Mortuary yesterday (Thursday) gave the cause of death as “multiple organ failure and sepsis due to bilateral pneumonia due to a thoracic injury with sternal fracture”. The pathologist said the injuries are likely to have been caused by punching or kicking.

Officers are appealing to the public for help. An incident room has opened under Det Chief Insp John Sandlin from the Met’s Homicide and Serious Crime Command, who said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who may have knowledge of how Alex sustained his injuries or saw the altercation Mr Stewart is believed to have been involved in.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information should call the incident room on 020 8345 3865 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

No arrests have been made so far.