Police launch murder hunt after discovery of body of man in his 60s in Southampton

The body of the man, aged in his sixties, was discovered in Eastchurch Close by police who were called to the property in Lordshill.

A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the grim find.

Hampshire police say the circumstances of the man's death are currently unexplained and a post mortem examination is being carried out to determine how he died.

A spokesman said it was believed to be "an isolated incident" and there was no risk to the wider public.

The two people arrested and currently being held are a 41-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else.

Meanwhile neighbours today spoke of their shock at the death among the neatly-tended gardens of East Church Close.

Police officers were conducting house to house enquiries this afternoon. One of the block of two-storey flats was still taped off preventing access into the building.

The road is city council-owned and until recently almost all the residents were retired.

Gladys Page, 73, a retired pub landlady, said: "It is terrible. It is very peaceful around here. So this is shocking.

"We didn't hear anything. We heard that the chap who died was not very well. The police came around last night."

Her husband John Page, 79, said the police had told neighbours not to worry.

Another neighbour Joan Skilton said: "This is normally a very peaceful area, so I'm shocked. It is very sad. You don't expect this.
“It is usually very quiet, it could do with a bit of life. The only children you see are grandchildren.”

Ann Sage, 82, a retired pub landlady, said: "Most people around here are getting older. We all get on pretty well."

Mrs Sage said she believed the man who died was in poor health and rarely left his flat.

Another neighbour who asked not to be named, said: "I think he was very ill. I've only seen him once in five years. The police told us his death was currently unexplained."

Joyce Livingstone, 77, said there was no sound of a fight or an argument.

"I heard nothing, then we saw the road covered with police cars and the blue and white tape. There were sniffer dogs yesterday evening out the back here and men in those forensic suits. They took the glass recycling and the rubbish bins.

"It does make you scared but the police said not to worry."