Police in Belfast confirmed last night they were treating as murder the discovery of a man's body in a house in the east of the city.
He was named today as William Weir (46) of McMaster Street off the Lower Newtownards Road.
Three people were being questioned by police following the discovery in Tower Street in the lower Newtownards Road area at around 4.45pm.
It is understood he had been stabbed.
No paramilitary involvement is suspected, and detectives are understood to have dismissed any possible sectarian motive.
"Locals are saying they were all in there having a drink for several hours," one source said.
"Next thing a knife was produced and he died as a result of his injuries."
The house where the body was discovered is close to one of the Belfast Institute of Higher Education colleges.
Detectives at Strandtown urged members of the public who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward.