Middlesbrough Man Beaten To Death

20 September 2012, 08:58 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police are treating the death of a Middlesbrough man as suspicious.

Detective Superintendent Peter McPhillips from Cleveland Police said:
"Police can confirm that they are now treating the death of a Middlesbrough man as suspicious.

Officers were called to an address in Fleet House on Cargo Fleet Lane last Thursday (13th September) where the body of the 61-year-old resident was discovered.

A special post mortem was held yesterday and his family have been informed.

He has now been named as John Barry Coates who lived alone in Fleet House.

It is believed he had not been married and he did not have a partner, nor did he 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 9th and 13th September to contact them on the dedicated number 303232 or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.