Residents of the lower Ormeau in south Belfast last night said they were shocked and horrified by the murder of a 51-year-old man.
The body of Mr John Barr was discovered in his home in Hatfield Street with extensive head injuries.
He was found by his brother-in-law.
Local people described him as a "vulnerable, harmless man" who "wouldn't hurt a fly".
They said Mr Barr was the sort of person who would invite someone he had just met into his house for a chat and a drink or cup of tea.
The Police Service of Northern is attempting to establish a motive for the murder.
Local SDLP Assembly member, Dr Alasdair McDonnell, said: "He was a decent, kindly soul. He had probably invited into his home whoever done this. He was generous and open and naively presumed everyone he met was equally decent."
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mr Alex Maskey of Sinn Féin, said Mr Barr was open to exploitation: "He would have been known to have allowed people to stay in his house.
"He was always willing to help others but some of them preyed on his generosity."
A neighbour, Ms Jennifer Davey, said: "People are horrified because he had no enemies. He just pottered about and did his own thing."
Meanwhile, five men broke into a house at Wilton Street, off the Shankill Road, on Tuesday and beat the occupant for two hours.
They tied him up, hooded him and threw paint over him. A woman in the house also had her hands bound.