Tenant lived with corpse in flat for eight years

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after the body of a man believed to be dead for eight years lay on a sofa while an elderly tenant continued to live in the same flat, British officials have revealed.

The corpse of a former lodger, named locally as 73-year-old Dennis Pring, was discovered by council workers in the lounge after neighbours reported a foul smell emanating from the Bristol flat.

It is believed the remaining occupant, named locally as Alan Derek, is the official tenant but he failed to report the death due to mental health issues.

A spokesman for the council said it is believed that the body was there for at least eight years.

Coroner’s officer Mike Whitcombe said the body has yet to be identified and an inquest will be opened on Monday.

Peter Crispin, a former Labour councillor for Bristol City Council, said the incident reflected a lack of community spirit.

“There are many matters which remain unresolved, but I do think these tragic events reflect the lack of community spirit we see in some high rise flat blocks. People are literally living on top of each other but barely stop to say hello,” said Mr Crispin.

The city council which runs the complex of flats, has launched an internal inquiry to establish how the body lay undetected for so long. The council will also investigate the mental status of the surviving tenant.