Police probe mystery death of man found dead in Southampton flat

Officers were called to the scene at around 4.30pm yesterday after the body of the man was discovered inside the property in the St Mary’s area of the city.

Detectives were last night working to establish how the man died with officers remaining at the property in Brinton’s Road throughout the night.

Hampshire police said they were not able to release any information about the man, but it is understood he was aged in his 40s and that his next of kin have been informed.

A spokesman would only confirm that it was being treated as an “unexplained death”.

Officers were called to reports of a 'sudden death' yesterday. No arrests have been made.

South Central Ambulance Service confirmed that paramedics were called just before 5pm. A man in his 40s was declared dead at the scene.

A post-mortem was due to be carried out today.

Late last night, forensic teams were still conducting tests in the ground-floor flat, which was taped off at the front and back entrances.

Residents gathered in the streets to try to see what was going on while several police cars surrounded the building.

The man who died is understood to be the resident of the flat.

One close neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “We only just returned from holiday but we noticed a very bad smell when we came back to our flat. It was worrying.

“It is a great shame because he was a charming man. He kept himself to himself but never caused any problems or nuisance and was a very decent chap.”

Neighbours also said a red Seat car that belonged to the occupant of the flat had not been seen for days.

Meanwhile, another local resident said he was concerned with the lack of information given by the emergency services.

The man, who also asked not to be named, said: “They all turned up here around 4.30pm and when I asked what was going on I was told it was nothing for the public to be concerned about.

“But that does worry me because I have young kids and I want to know what’s going on. We should not be kept in the dark.”

A 63-year old neighbour who wished to remain anonymous, said she had assumed he was away because his car had been gone for a week.

She said: "he was friendly but he kept himself to himself.

"The first I knew was when all the police cars turned up yesterday."

Another man also noticed his car had gone and said a neighbour told him another man of large build had left the flat late on Monday night.

He said: "It's terrible and quite scary and makes it quite alarming."