Police have a launched a murder probe after a 55-year-old man died outside a party at a parish hall from an alleged assault.
The victim, from Bracknell, in Berkshire, was found unconscious by paramedics, who called police to Broomfield Parish Hall in Essex at 11.56pm before the man died shortly after midnight.
A woman was also assaulted and had to be taken to hospital for treatment for a broken nose, Essex Police said.
Officers arrested a 24-year-old man, from Chelmsford, on suspicion of murder. He is currently in custody at a local police station.
Detective Inspector Steve Ellis, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "The murder victim, assault victim and suspect were all attending a private party being held inside Broomfield Parish Hall in Main Road.
"Both assaults happened outside the hall in the car park area.
"Our enquiries are continuing today and I would urge anybody with any information about the incident who has not already spoken to officers to contact us."
A post-mortem examination will take place later, the force added.
A cordon was set up around the hall as forensic investigators scoured the scene.
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