Murder probe dropped two years after man found dead in flat
A murder investigation has been dropped two years after a body was discovered in a flat in Southport. Merseyside Police launched a murder investigation after the body of a 57-year-old man was discovered at an address on Bath Street in Southport on July 24, 2022.
The cause of death was initially unknown, with the ECHO last reporting on the investigation in February 2023. Two men, 51 and 54 years old, were arrested at the time on suspicion of murder but were released on bail. Merseyside Police has now confirmed the men who were arrested at the time have since been released with no further action.
This comes after the man's death was found to be a result of mixed drug toxicity, a Merseyside Police spokesperson confirmed. The decision to close the investigation came after the force received advice from the Crown Prosecution Service on February 20 of this year.
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At the time the man's body was found in July 2022, forensic officers remained at the flat overnight as they examined the scene in the block of flats. A man who lived in the building told the ECHO at the time: "I was asleep at the time because I work night shifts at the Clifton Hotel round the corner. We had to leave for two hours and no one was allowed in or out after that.
"I had to explain to the officer that I needed to go to work so I had to give him my keys and he went in the flat to get my things. I got back from work this morning and they still won't let me back in. I understand how serious this is but they don't know how long I won't be allowed back in.
"I was scared at the beginning. I opened the door and I was told to stay back at first. I was scared because all I was told was that something serious had happened."