• Body found by passerby last night
  • Church cordoned off
  • Forensic officers on scene
  • Man in his 60s has died

THURSDAY UPDATE - Church mourns death in its grounds as police activity continues

What happened?

FORENSICS are combing an Oxford churchyard this afternoon after a man in his 60s was found dead.

A guarded police cordon remains in place outside St Frideswide Church in Botley Road, following the discovery of the man's body at about 10.30pm last night.

Thames Valley Police described the death as 'unexplained', adding in a statement: "Sadly a man in his sixties had died at the scene.

"Next of kin have been informed and a file will be prepared for the coroner in due course.

"A police cordon remains on Botley Road at this time."

ALSO READ: Details after body found at Botley Road Church St Frideswide, Oxford

The forced urged anyone with information to call 101 quoting URN 1367 5/2.

What do we know about where the man was found?

St Frideswide Church, located near Osney Bridge, is one of four churches that make up the Osney Benefice along with St Margaret of Antioch in Binsey, St Lawrence's in North Hinksey and St Peter and St Paul's in Botley.

It is an Anglican church serving West Oxford and Osney Island, founded in the 19th century.  

What has happened at the church before?

In March last year police described the area as a 'hot spot' for drug dealing and said a hedge had been planted to help ease the issue. 

Officers tweeted: "The natural barrier will deter drug dealing and use in this hot spot location."

An earlier post reiterated the issue with drug dealing and said 'defensive planting measures' were being discussed to deter the problem. 

One Oxford Mail reader who works nearby said a rough sleeper often settles at that section of Botley Road. 

How did he die?

Police have not yet released details about the circumstances of the man's death.