Five suspects are arrested over the murder of 35-year-old father gunned down at holiday park 

• Sam Petrou, 35, was found dead in Eastchurch at around 9.40am on Sunday
• Two men, one in his 50s and one aged 42, and a woman, 33, have been arrested  

Two more suspects have been arrested over the death of a father who was gunned down at a holiday park in Kent - taking the total to five. 

Sam Petrou, 35, was found dead with a gunshot wound in a caravan at Cliff Cottage Chalet Park on the Isle of Sheppey at around 9.40am on Sunday. 

This afternoon, a 42-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

Kent Police said the man was apprehended more than 300 miles away in Newcastle and the woman was arrested in London.

A spokesman for the force said: 'Two more people have been arrested in connection with the murder of a man who was shot in Sheerness.

'A total of five suspects have now been detained by officers investigating the death of 35-year-old Sam Petrou.

'The latest arrests were made during the afternoon of Thursday 15 June, and involved a 42-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman.

'The man was detained in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

'The woman was arrested for the same offence at an address in London. Both were taken into custody.'

Kent Police also said that they arrested a man in his 50s at around 1pm on Sunday, the same day Sam's body was found, on suspicion of murder. 

A man, 42, from Sidcup, south east London, and a 33-year-old woman from Greenwich, have also been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

They remain under investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and have been put on bail with conditions to return to a police station on 11 September. 

Tributes have poured in from people in Bromley, in south east London, where Sam is believed to be from, following his death. 

In a post shared to Facebook, Sam's dad Nick Petrou wrote: 'He was so loved, the amount of posts and heartfelt comments that people have put up of him has blown me away and lifted my broken heart.

'I would like to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my broken heart, for loving my beautiful son Sam from boyhood to manhood and beyond. 

'I can remember like yesterday when he was born with colic and in pain.

'I held him in my arms every night for hours until he fell asleep. I have loved him and wanted to hold him in my arms, and did everytime I saw him. He was so loving and I miss my baby.'

In another tribute, a friend of Sam's told MyLondon: 'Sam was a bubbly and happy go lucky man and he was always smiling. 

'We are all devastated to hear what has happened to Sam its so sad and such a shock for us all.'

Friend Ben Hyland added: 'Devastated is an understatement - I can't remember Sam not smiling and laughing.

'He was such a nice man and would do anything for anyone, so I'm proud to call him my friend - I'm going to miss him dearly.'

One friend wrote: 'Some amazing memories with you, this is just one of many, you were like family RIP Sam Petrou. You'll never be forgotten.'

Another friend said: 'Where do I start? I played my first Sunday league match and had my first legal pint with you.

'You looked after me and took me in - I just want to say thank you for letting me be a part of your story. Sam my brother, fly high you'll be forever with me.'

Around 20 police and forensic officers were seen investigating the area near Eastchurch Holiday Centre on Tuesday.

It is not yet known if the suspects knew the alleged victim.

Detective Inspector Adam Marshall, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, appealed for anyone with footage of the scene the evening before the body was found to come forward.

He said: 'We are continuing to appeal to drivers who may have been in this area, between 7.30pm and 9pm on Saturday, June 10, to check for any dashcam footage which may assist our investigation.

'It is important we identify the movements of people or vehicles in the Warden Road and Fourth Avenue areas, within this period.'

A Kent Police spokesperson said: 'Three suspects arrested in connection with the death of a man in Sheerness have been bailed as part of an ongoing murder investigation.

'Kent Police was called at around 9.40am on Sunday 11 June 2023, to an address in Fourth Avenue, Eastchurch, where Sam Petrou was found deceased.

'Mr Petrou, aged 35, had suffered injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.

'Since then, an investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate has led to the arrests of two men and a woman.

'They all remain under investigation and are currently bailed, with conditions, to return to a police station on 11 September.'

Kent Police have asked anyone with to submit this online via the Public Portal or call them on 01622 652006, quoting reference 11-0449.

People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete an online form on their website.