Body Of Missing Michael Found Near Blackpool Beach

28 February 2014, 16:36 | Updated: 28 February 2014, 16:40

Lancashire Police have identified a Northamptonshire man whose body was found washed up on the beach near Blackpool earlier this month.

Michael Leahy, 53, was found around 5.40pm on Monday 17 February by a dog walker approximately one mile out from land on the beach at Rossall, Fleetwood.
 
His body was recovered with the assistance of the Coastguard and following extensive police enquires it has been established that he had been reported missing by his family to Northamptonshire Police on 14th February 2014.
 
Mr Leahy is believed to have come to Blackpool at the beginning of January 2014.
 
He is described as being a very private man and lived alone in London where he worked for the post office before taking redundancy in 2012.
 
His mother and two brothers live in Northamptonshire which is where he spent Christmas before he came to Blackpool. Michael was not married and did not have any children.  He has been described by the family as the ‘favourite Uncle’.
 
Police are continuing to appeal for information from the public as it is still unclear where he has been staying over the past two months.
 
Detective Inspector Bev Foster told Heart: "Following the circulation of an Evofit to other forces, Michael Leahy was identified by Northamptonshire Police. His family have now formally identified him and but we still need the public’s help to piece together his last movements and find out where he was staying.
 
Michael left home with a suitcase of belongings so it is likely he may have been staying at a local B&B. I would appeal to people, particularly local hoteliers, to look at Michael’s photo and contact police if they have any guests matching his description who have not returned or left unexpectedly.
 
If anyone had contact with Michael or knows where he was staying I would ask them to contact Fleetwood CID on 01253 604343 or 101."
 
A post mortem examination was inconclusive so police are awaiting toxicology results to establish how Michael died. His death is not being treated as suspicious