Dead man not found for five weeks

Neil Puffett

QUESTIONS are being asked today after an elderly man lay undiscovered in his sheltered home in Ipswich up to five weeks following his death.

The 83-year-old man, named by neighbours as William or Bill, was discovered dead in his Felaw Street flat at around 12.30pm on Wednesday.

The sheltered-housing flat is run by Hannover Housing Group and has a designated manager who is understood to stay in touch with residents through phone calls and home visits.

One nearby resident told The Evening Star neighbours had been questioning for weeks where the man was.

She said: “We presumed he had gone off somewhere for Christmas. To think he was lying there dead in his flat is terrible when you consider it is sheltered accommodation.”

It is understood initial examinations revealed the elderly gentleman had been undiscovered for up to five weeks after his death.

A spokesman for Hannover Housing Association, which runs the flats, said: “We can confirm that a tenant has passed away in his property.

“He lived a very independent life, and had opted to receive no support or morning calls from us. As a landlord it is important that we respect the individual wishes and chosen lifestyles of our tenants.

“We became concerned about the welfare of the tenant and made the decision to check the property. When access was restricted we informed the emergency services.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

The spokesman refused to reveal the identity of the man.

Rev Ian Morgan, whose parish includes the sheltered development, said he was “really quite shocked” by the discovery of the man's body.

“I think that's really sad. I had the impression that communities like sheltered accommodation were fairly close and I am surprised no-one would have known about this,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said officers were called to the address in Felaw Street at about 13.35pm Wednesday.

“There were no suspicious circumstances and it was referred to the coroner.”