Special investigation team appeals for witnesses

MYSTERY surrounds the death of a 24-year-old man found collapsed in the entrance of Kidderminster police station.

Leon Bradley Laga, of Bewdley Hill, Kidderm-inster, was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics after his body was discovered at around 8am on Saturday.

The events leading up to the discovery are now the subject of an investigation being managed by the Independent Police Complaints Comm-ission and spokesman, Richard Offer, said it was understood Mr Laga had been allowed to shelter in the front entrance of the police station overnight.

His death is being treated as unexplained.

"Why he was sheltering there is what we have to find out in the inquiry, on behalf of the coroner for the investigation," Mr Offer said.

"He will have to determine whether he was ill, from forensic tests, including toxicology tests which we're awaiting results for. We have to find that out before the forensic pathologist can give any cause of death."

The IPCC's commissioner, John Crawley, added: "I have been in touch with Leon's father and offered the family my sincere condolences after this tragic death.

"If we are to find out what happened to Mr Laga we need to hear from anybody who saw or spoke with him last Friday night or who saw him sitting outside the police station in the morning.

"Some people must have passed by and they could be important witnesses."

A Home Office pathologist carried out a post mortem on Saturday afternoon and toxicology results are pending.

The incident was referred to the IPCC because it happened outside a police station.

Stephen Reinlo, a 50-year-old carer, whose home on Mason Road faces the police station, said it was "very odd to have a body virtually on your doorstep".

He added: "I saw the police cordoning off the front steps and a couple of minutes later the ambulance and paramedics arrived.

"I was standing on my doorstep looking towards the steps and there was the shape of a body ... I didn't know what was going on but it was obvious that it was a fatality."

Anyone with any information should contact the IPCC's central regional office on 01332 638694.