Detectives last night launched a murder inquiry after a 46-year-old man lost his fight for life following a brutal beating.

Frederick John Goring, of Fenton's Drive, Pembroke, yesterday became the third murder victim of the year when he was officially certified dead at 10 a.m. in the Intensive Care Unit of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

He is thought to have been on a life support machine since being rushed by ambulance to the hospital with severe head injuries on Monday night.

It was not thought that Mr. Goring had any close relatives on the Island, and officers said a relation travelled to the Island from overseas after hearing of the attack.

Mr. Goring, originally of Dominica, was found at around 7 p.m. on Monday on the corner of Glebe Road and Orchard Grove by residents, who, at first, believed he had been the victim of a road accident.

However, after he was taken to hospital for emergency treatment, doctors later contacted Police informing them that Mr. Goring's injuries had not been as a result of a vehicle, but a physical assault, instead.

He spent two-and-a-half days in intensive care before a decision was taken to turn off the life-support machine.

Yesterday, Assistant Commissioner Carlton Adams reiterated his appeal for witnesses at a press conference at Police headquarters.

"The Bermuda Police can confirm the death of 46-year-old Frederick Goring. He died as a result of injuries believed to have been sustained during an incident, which occurred some time between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday evening," he said.

"This matter has been under intensive investigation by a team of detectives since Tuesday, under the supervision of senior investigating officer Det. Chief Insp. Stuart Crockwell.

"Currently, there are three persons in custody in relation to this matter, which is now being treated as a murder investigation."

As of noon yesterday, Mr. Adams said the investigative team had been increased to 12 officers.

Police originally arrested five Pembroke men in connection with the assault.

However, two were released from Police custody late on Wednesday night, leaving two 19-year-olds and a 22-year-old still being questioned by detectives last night.

Mr. Adams yesterday said he was unable to give details of Mr. Goring's injuries as an autopsy had not been carried out, and said officers were still looking for a motive to the vicious attack.

He added: "The investigation is not complete, in fact, its a long way from completion. At this point, we believe there was an altercation, but we don't know what relationship, if any, existed between Mr. Goring and the attackers.

"We have had assistance from the public, but not specifically from people in the neighbourhood (St. Monica's Mission).

"Right now, we are trying to piece together the events that preceded the attack. We are still appealing to anyone that might have seen or heard anything suspicious during the hours in question, or who may have any information that could assist Police in this investigation."

Asked if the murder was drug-related, Mr. Adams said officers did not know at this stage, and they said little was known about Mr. Goring.

He is believed to have lived on the Island for sometime, but officers said they did not know what he did for a living.

The murder of Mr. Goring marks the third for this year.

Homeless man Harry Palmer, 47, died during the first week of June after being found unconscious on Cedar Avenue in Pembroke.

Voorhees Trott, of Two-Way Lane, Deepdale, Pembroke, has been charged with the killing.

And mother-of-three Chena Danette Trott died after receiving fatal stab wounds at the Esso Tigermarket on North Shore in Crawl Hill, Hamilton Parish, on August 9.

George (Messy) McDonald Liburd, 29, of Pembroke, has been charged with her murder.

Jahmel Eugene Mallory, 17, of Tommy Fox Road, St. George's, has been accused of attempting to murder CedarBridge Academy security guard Kariim Wales in March of this year.

Anyone with information to the murder of Mr. Goring should call Det. Chief Insp. Crockwell on 299-4326, or the confidential CrimeStoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.