UPDATE: Residents' shock after body found in Sheffield park

Residents in a Sheffield neighbourhood have spoken of their shock after a body was found in a park nearby.
Police at the scene, Beauchief Gardens, Sheffield. Photo: Chris EtchellsPolice at the scene, Beauchief Gardens, Sheffield. Photo: Chris Etchells
Police at the scene, Beauchief Gardens, Sheffield. Photo: Chris Etchells

An investigation was launched after a man’s body was discovered in the Beauchief Gardens park, close to the Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Abbeydale Road South, at around 7.40am yesterday.

A police cordon was put in place and the area was under guard during the early stages of the probe.

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Officers appeared to be putting personal items, including toiletries, into forensic bags while the cordon was in position.

But at around noon the cordon had been removed and officers ruled out foul play.

Resident Judith Toothill said: “It’s a shock, you don’t expect things like this. I didn’t hear anything or see anything. The first thing I knew of it was when I heard sirens this morning.”

Resident Margaret Everley said: “I didn’t hear anything, but there’s a lot of traffic noise.

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“I’m shocked that somebody has been found dead in the park.”

One resident, who did not wish to be identified, said there was a shelter in the park which homeless people did occasionally sleep in.

They said: “There’s a hut with graffiti on the roof. It’s not a huge problem or anything, but there are sometimes homeless people who sleep there. The park’s not as well-kept as it used to be. You occasionally see homeless people wandering past.”

A force spokesman said: “Following the discovery of the body of a man in Sheffield, police can confirm that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

“Emergency services were called to an area in Abbeydale Road South at about 7.40am after the body of the man was found.”