Police are investigating after a dying man, later identified as 40 year-old Alan Rusby, was discovered near to Beedle’s Chippy in Cockton Hill.
Police were called to the scene at 4.30am on Wednesday, March 25th. Paramedics attempted to revive Mr Rusby, but they were unable to do so.
The phone call that led the emergency services to find Mr Rusby was made anonymously only metres from where he lay dying. Officers investigating the incident sealed the phone box used to call the police in order to dust for finger prints. They also obtained CCTV footage from local businesses and searched the contents of bins in the vicinity.
A couple have been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, however, the cause of death remains a mystery.
Police have carried out an autopsy, which proved inconclusive, and they are still awaiting the results of forensic tests.
Anyone with information relating to the death of the Sunderland man is asked to contact the police on 0345-60-60-60 or call crimestopppers on 0800-555-111.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
