Probe continues into raid killing

Police have been making a detailed search of the street

Detectives investigating the death of a wealthy businessman who was attacked by a gang of raiders say a post-mortem examination has proved inconclusive.

John Luper, 57, was set upon on Monday night by three or four men as he walked his dog near his £800,000 house in the Alwoodley area of Leeds.

He was dragged back to his home where the intruders tied up his wife, daughter and another woman.

They were threatened while the raiders searched the property before fleeing.

Further inquiries

Police said the women managed to break free and raise the alarm.

Mr Luper, who is reported to be a non-executive director of a football and entertainment agency which deals with stars including Arsenal's Thierry Henry and Denis Bergkamp, was found collapsed in a room close to the kitchen.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

West Yorkshire Police said a post-mortem examination carried out by a Home Office pathologist on Tuesday evening "was inconclusive as to the precise cause of death".

Further inquiries were being carried out on Wednesday.

The actions of the intruders are horrific and despicable Detective Supterintendent Bill Shackleton

Police say robbery was believed to be the motive for the "horrific and despicable" attack.

Detective Superintendent Bill Shackleton, of West Yorkshire Police, who is leading the investigation, said: "Threats have been made and the other occupants, all female, had been tied up," he said.

"An extensive search has been made of the house and some time later these men have left.

"On releasing themselves the occupants have found the body of Mr Luper in a downstairs room.

"It's going to have been a very dreadful ordeal and they (the family) are currently helping us with our inquiries.

"The actions of the intruders are horrific and despicable. It was a dreadful attack."

Mr Luper was a director of a clothing firm and a property leasing company and a member and former director of the exclusive Moor Allerton Golf Club in Leeds.

'Terrible shock'

Reports said he was also a non-executive director of football agents Sport Entertainment and Media Group, who deal with stars including Leeds model Nell McAndrew, boxer Lennox Lewis and TV presenter Ian Wright.

The house was sealed off on Tuesday as a forensic examination of the scene was carried out.

The Alwoodley area is part of the northern fringe of Leeds which is home to some of the city's richest residents including company directors, lawyers and professional footballers.

Neighbour Ivan Green, who has lived in Sandmoor Drive for 25 years, said: "It's a terrible shock.

"The area is generally very quiet.

"Despite there being some large houses here there has never been anything like this - it is unprecedented."