Neighbour who found man’s body hasn’t slept all weekend
HE SAYS HE IS NOW TOO FRIGHTENED TO GO OUT ON HIS OWN LATE AT NIGHT
A MAN from St Ann’s has recalled the devastating night he found the body of one of his neighbours near his home.
Josh Roberts, 28, said he “cried all weekend” and has not been able to sleep since the discovery.
He described the man – named locally as David and thought to have been in his 50s – as a “good person” and a “friendly, normal” man, who didn’t cause trouble.
Mr Roberts, who saw the man’s body as he went outside to pick up his takeaway, said that on Thursday afternoon he had had a “good conversation” with his neighbour, with no signs that something might be wrong, looking “healthy and fine”.
“As I was getting closer, I realised who it was. It’s crazy, I can understand someone dying but the way he was left traumatised me.
“You only see stuff like this in horror films, not on your doorstep. It broke my heart because I wanted to help but didn’t know what to do.
“I’ve had no rest since and I’ve cried all over the weekend. I’m just sorry for him. He didn’t deserve to die.
“I had to walk away at one point because I just couldn’t take it any more.”
The body was found in a residential car park near a block of flats in Moffatt Close at 1.40am on Friday. The man’s death is being treated as “unexplained”.
A police cordon remained in place in Moffat Close yesterday, with a police car stationed at the scene as the investigation continued.
Mr Roberts also described how he is now too frightened to go out, especially on his own and at night.
He said: “I can’t trust anybody any more. You need to be careful who you associate yourself with nowadays.
“We were told to just get on with our day-to-day life, but how can I do that when I found my neighbour dead on the floor just outside?
“I used to take my dog down there at midnight but I now take her out early. I’m just scared.”
Mr Roberts added that the man’s death had hit even harder due to one of his other neighbours dying of cancer last year.
He also recalled how he used to live with him in shared accommodation in the past, where “David” was “the most quiet of guys”. Detective Inspector Clare Gibson said: “Officers were called to Moffatt Close in St Ann’s at 1.40am on Friday, March 8, after a report of a sudden death. An investigation is currently under way after a man’s body was found in a residential car park. His death is currently being treated as unexplained.” The force is appealing for anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward. They can call 101, quoting incident number 32 of March 8, 2024, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Members of the public can also share any footage, photos, or information direct with the investigation team via: https://mipp.police.uk/ operation/33em24e63-po1.
I can’t trust anybody any more. You need to be careful who you associate yourself with nowadays Josh Roberts