The body of a man who went missing from his home in Lancashire has been found, police have confirmed. Kevin Coates, 43, was last seen on Tottenham Road, Darwen at just after 10pmon Tuesday, January 7.
Police have been searching for him since he was reported missing but have since confirmed that the body of a man was found on Tottenham Road in Darwen on Tuesday (January 14). Lancashire Police said: “The body has now been confirmed as Kevin. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. They are being supported by specially trained officers.
In a tribute his family said: “Kevin was a much-loved brother, father, son and uncle who touched the hearts and souls of everyone he met. He would light up the room. He was a gentle person with a big heart and a lovely nature. “As a family we are absolutely heartbroken. Kevin – this is not a goodbye but a see you later.”
“A Home Office postmortem examination has been carried out, but further enquiries are being undertaken to try and establish how Kevin died. Before he went missing, we received a report Kevin had been assaulted at his home address on Fowler Heights Close and we are investigating that report.”
Four people – a woman aged 56, and three men aged 37, 43 and 50 – have been arrested in connection with our investigation into the assault and enquiries are ongoing, police said.
Det Chief Insp Sarah Denson, of Blackburn CID, said: “First and foremost my thoughts are with Kevin’s loved ones at this time. We are looking into the circumstances around the assault and the events leading to Kevin’s death and I would appeal to anyone who has any information which could assist to get in touch.”
Police said they have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to the previous contact they had with Kevin before he went missing. Anyone with information about Kevin going missing or about the assault has been asked to call police on 101, quoting log 0916 of January 17.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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