Long-dead body found in U.K. apartment

BRITSOL, England, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- British authorities were investigating the death of a man whose body was parked on a sofa in an apartment for several years.

City workers in Bristol discovered the remains when they went into the place, which was still occupied by another elderly man who never reported his roommate's death.

"It has been suggested that the body may have been there for as long as 10 years," a police spokesman told The Times of London Friday. "This is incorrect, although it is fair to say we believe it was there for several years."

It appeared the current resident, Alan Derek, simply left the body on the sofa. Some neighbors had complained of foul odors in the building, but officials never discovered the body until their recent visit. Derek was not charged in the death.

The Times said the family of the deceased had been notified, but his name had not been released.