Investigation launched after man's death
Friday, January 17, 2025
Earlier this week we asked for your help to find a man called Kevin Coates who was missing from home and we wanted to update you on our investigation.
Kevin, 43, was last seen on Tottenham Road, Darwen at 10.11pm on Tuesday, January 7th.
We had been looking for him since that time but very sadly the body of a man was found on Tottenham Road in Darwen on Tuesday (January 14th) and the body has now been confirmed as Kevin. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. They are being supported by specially trained officers.
In a tribute his family said: “Kevin was a much-loved brother, father, son and uncle who touched the hearts and souls of everyone he met. He would light up the room. He was a gentle person with a big heart and a lovely nature. As a family we are absolutely heartbroken. Kevin – this is not a goodbye but a see you later.”
Kevin and nephew
A Home Office postmortem examination has been carried out, but further enquiries are being undertaken to try and establish how Kevin died.
Before he went missing, we received a report Kevin had been assaulted at his home address on Fowler Heights Close and we are investigating that report.
Four people – a woman aged 56, and three men aged 37, 43 and 50 – have been arrested in connection with our investigation into the assault and enquiries are ongoing.
Det Chief Insp Sarah Denson, of Blackburn CID, said: “First and foremost my thoughts are with Kevin’s loved ones at this time.
“We are looking into the circumstances around the assault and the events leading to Kevin’s death and I would appeal to anyone who has any information which could assist to get in touch.”
We have referred ourselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to the previous contact we had with Kevin before he went missing.
Anyone with information about Kevin going missing or about the assault should call us on 101 quoting log 0916 of January 17th.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
