COUNTY NEWS: Neighbours express shock over murder

Neighbours have expressed their shock over a man's death which police are treating as murder.
Police and scientific support branch officers in Osmonde Close, WorthingPolice and scientific support branch officers in Osmonde Close, Worthing
Police and scientific support branch officers in Osmonde Close, Worthing

Police launched a murder investigation yesterday after reports of a man’s body was found in the doorway of a house on Osmonde Close, Worthing. Click here to read the full report.

David Alekna, 27, lives in Centrecourt Road, which backs onto Osmonde Close. He said he knew the occupants and paid tribute to his deceased neighbour.

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“He was very polite. He always said ‘hi’ or ‘good morning’,” said Mr Alekna.

Police and scientific support branch officers in Osmonde Close, Worthing. Pictures: Eddie MitchellPolice and scientific support branch officers in Osmonde Close, Worthing. Pictures: Eddie Mitchell
Police and scientific support branch officers in Osmonde Close, Worthing. Pictures: Eddie Mitchell

He added: “I didn’t know what happened – I saw the police were there and thought it was a suicide. It’s terrible.”

Another neighbour living a few doors down from the dead man’s house, who asked not to be named, paid tribute to the hard work of the police.

“The police are doing their jobs and getting on with it – they’ve been out there all night.”

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But she added that her three children had been left distressed by the incident.

“You always hear about these things on TV or the news but it’s different when it is right there,” she said.

The woman added that she also knew the occupants of the house but did not wish to comment further until police had formally identified the dead man.

Helen Sadler, of Henty Road, Worthing, was walking her dog, Chloe, on Tuesday when she saw the police cars in Osmonde Close.

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She said: “It is dreadful, absolutely horrendous. It’s such a quiet little backwater.”

Sussex Police has asked anyone with information about the incident to contact them, either by sending an email to [email protected], or by calling 101 quoting Operation Waterhouse.

Neighbours have spoken of their shock following the incident.

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