Police name Middlesbrough man, 61, whose death is being treated as suspicious (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Police name Middlesbrough man, 61, whose death is being treated as suspicious

11:45am Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News By Chris Webber, Reporter (Stockton/Hartlepool)

POLICE are treating the death of a man whose body was found almost a week ago as suspicious.

Cleveland Police were called last Thursday after the body of a 61-year-old man was found at Fleet House, Cargo Fleet lane, Middlesbrough.

A post-mortem was conducted yesterday and police have today formally announced the death as suspicious.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said this afternoon: "He has now been named as John Barry Coates who lived alone in Fleet House.  It is believed he had not been married and did he have a partner, nor he did not have any children. 

"He had a sister and four brothers who are receiving support from specially trained family liaison officers whilst detectives continue their enquiries.

"John worked in a store in the town centre and had a variety of interests.  He was a keen gardener who tended a nearby allotment.  He was also a member of a local gym and had taken on a cookery course."

Police are appealing for anyone who had spoken to John or had seen him between the afternoon of Sunday September 9 and 13 to contact them on the dedicated number 101 or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.