Man's body discovered in Leeds Liverpool Canal near M65 motorway as Lancashire Police appeal for next of kin
His identity remains a mystery but police have shared some clues to help trace his loved ones...
A man’s body has been discovered in the Leeds Liverpool Canal near the M65 in Hoghton.
Lancashire Police said the body was found in the water by members of the public on February 12. The force said the man’s identity remains a mystery, with DNA enquiries unable to provide answers.
There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, and detectives have shared some clues as they appeal to the public for help tracing his next of kin.
What we know about the man
A police spokesperson said: “We are appealing for your help to identify a man who was sadly found deceased near Hoghton earlier this year.
“On February 12, members of the public performing maintenance to the Leeds Liverpool Canal reported to us that they had found the body of a man.
“Officers attended, and the body of a man was recovered from the canal.
“The man was located in the canal, in the direction of Wigan, near to Junction 3 of the M65, near Hoghton.
“Since then, a number of enquiries to identify the man, and therefore his next of kin, have been ongoing, including DNA enquiries, but they have so far proved unsuccessful.
“We’ve therefore made the decision to share this sad news with you today, in the hopes that you may know who the man is.
“He is described as being around 40-years-old and having brown hair. When he was found, he was wearing two pairs of socks, two jackets, a hoodie, a sweater and a pair of jeans. He had used blue string to fashion a belt as well.
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“The man was also found in possession of some medication, which is believed to be Bulgarian in origin, but can be purchased online in the UK. He also had a blue lighter, and some loose change with him.
“It is thought the man’s body may have ended up in the canal at some point in the week prior to February 12.
“There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
“This is where we make a direct appeal to you. We want to find out who this man is, so we can notify his loved ones, and he can be given a fitting farewell.
“If you recognise any of the descriptive details we’ve told you about today, we ask that you please get in touch with us through the appropriate channels.
“It may be that this man could be your family member, a friend, a colleague or neighbour, or even someone you usually see out and about, but haven’t for a while.
“If you have any information that could help us find out who he is, please call 101 quoting log 0612 of February 12.”