A POLICE investigation was underway last night after a proud father died while out celebrating the birth of his week-old baby.

The 23-year-old, named locally as Benji Bolsenbroek, is believed to have died after an altercation in or outside the Park Hotel, on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

It is understood that he may have been glassed, or had a bottle thrown at him, in an incident either inside or outside the pub. He was on a night out with six or seven friends and family members to wet the baby’s head.

Police are treating the death as suspicious and have launched an investigation.

His girlfriend Georgina McGuire gave birth to baby Kianey, who weighed seven pounds three ounces, less than a week ago.

Mr Bolsenbroek wrote on his own Facebook page this week: “Could not ask for a better baby boy. He’s unreal man, I couldn’t be any happier.

“It’s been hard these last two days to peel the smile off my face. Thank you Georgina for such a beautiful boy.”

He then wrote: “Right let’s get down to business, soaking the baby’s head Saturday... let me know if ya coming lads.”

The last thing Miss McGuire wrote on her Facebook page was: “Early night with my boy while daddy’s on the lash. Bliss. xxx”

The Avenue end of Linthorpe Road, near the Park, was sealed off for most of the day yesterday while scenes of crime officers carried out investigations.

A house just a couple of hundred metres away on Chelmsford Walk, believed to be occupied by Mr Bolsenbroek’s mother, was also being treated as a crime scene yesterday and was empty.

The victim died in James Cook University Hospital just after 1am this morning.

A police spokeswoman said: “Officers are carrying out enquiries at a number of locations, including the Park Hotel on Linthorpe Road.”

Unconfirmed reports from locals suggested there had been a fight inside the pub which spilled out on to the street. One man said he heard the victim had been glassed, then suffered a heart attack.

However police said they could not confirm exactly what had happened until interviews were completed and the results of a post mortem examination had been received.

Tributes poured in on social media sites last night. Sam Savage said: “It just goes to show what a well liked and popular lad Benji was. Everyone is devastated with the sad news of his death. Watched him grow from a baby to a young man. Absolute honour knowing him. Fly with the angels Benji goodnight and godbless, never be forgotten.”

Another friend Ben Hazley said: “The worst news you could ever wake up to this morning. RIP Benji Bolsenbroek mate, you’ll be truly missed.”

* In an unrelated incident, a 28-year-old man died after being stabbed in Marton Road, Middlesbrough, at 12.25am on Sunday. A 42-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and inquiries were ongoing last night. Police said they were treating the death as suspicious. They also stressed that they were not linking it with the death of Mr Bolsenbroek.

Anyone with information on either incident is asked to contact Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.