Man's body found decomposing in listed building chimney
Published: 2013 May 03 07:11:01 (5062 Views)
UK police are investigating whether a burglar had attempted to break into the central Derby building and became trapped.
Officers were called to the firm of solicitors on Wednesday afternoon after staff reported a sickening smell wafting throughout the Grade II listed building.
After employees searched the Victorian-era premises, located in St Mary's Gate, they found the man's remains wedged into the chimney.
Detectives are understood to be exploring one theory the unnamed man could have been a burglar and fell while attempting to gain access to the building from the roof last month.
Staff at Moody and Woolley solicitors reportedly noticed a gap in the wall in an unused part of the building about a month ago, which pointed to an attempted break in.
Locals say the area has been targeted by lead thieves in previous months.
Derbyshire Police tonight described the death as "unexplained" and officers said they are keeping an "open mind" as attempts are made to identify the victim.
The man's body is believed to have been there for several weeks and is understood to have been significantly decomposed, which attracted an unusually high number of flies.
The body was removed late on Wednesday and a post mortem examination is due to take place later.
The painstaking recovery operation was hampered by the building's historic listing, forcing police to call in specialists to take remove part of the chimney one brick at a time.
Builders were last month called in to investigate reported damage to the premises and found a hole in the roof of the former 18th century town house.
After telling workers it appeared to be an attempted break-in, the incident was forgotten until the appearance of the unusual smell. Staff were last night said to be in shock over the "tragedy".
According to the firm's website, the building is one of the last in the city centre to retain its old walled garden. It is located opposite the former police station, built in 1893, which is now a luxury hotel having been converted in 2006.
- Telegraph
Officers were called to the firm of solicitors on Wednesday afternoon after staff reported a sickening smell wafting throughout the Grade II listed building.
After employees searched the Victorian-era premises, located in St Mary's Gate, they found the man's remains wedged into the chimney.
Detectives are understood to be exploring one theory the unnamed man could have been a burglar and fell while attempting to gain access to the building from the roof last month.
Staff at Moody and Woolley solicitors reportedly noticed a gap in the wall in an unused part of the building about a month ago, which pointed to an attempted break in.
Locals say the area has been targeted by lead thieves in previous months.
Derbyshire Police tonight described the death as "unexplained" and officers said they are keeping an "open mind" as attempts are made to identify the victim.
The man's body is believed to have been there for several weeks and is understood to have been significantly decomposed, which attracted an unusually high number of flies.
The body was removed late on Wednesday and a post mortem examination is due to take place later.
The painstaking recovery operation was hampered by the building's historic listing, forcing police to call in specialists to take remove part of the chimney one brick at a time.
Builders were last month called in to investigate reported damage to the premises and found a hole in the roof of the former 18th century town house.
After telling workers it appeared to be an attempted break-in, the incident was forgotten until the appearance of the unusual smell. Staff were last night said to be in shock over the "tragedy".
According to the firm's website, the building is one of the last in the city centre to retain its old walled garden. It is located opposite the former police station, built in 1893, which is now a luxury hotel having been converted in 2006.
- Telegraph
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