A man found dead behind a car wash in east Manchester has been named. The body of Craig Ellis, 40, was discovered next to a car on a grass verge behind a valeting centre on Hyde Road, at the junction with Bennett Steet, on Monday morning.
Emergency services were called to the scene on the border of West Gorton and Ardwick after the grim discovery was made by staff at the car wash just after 8am.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said they were alerted to 'reports of a body of a homeless man in a vehicle.'
Workers told the Manchester Evening News they found him lying in between two vehicles on a piece of land where cars are stored by a second-hand car sales operation, separate to the car wash. The area was strewn with rubbish and old car parts.
His bag and belongings were found inside one of the cars, where it is believed he may have been sleeping. His cause of death has not yet been disclosed although police say there are believed to be no suspicious circumstances.
Following the tragedy, GMP said they were in the process of contacting the man's next of kin.
In an update today they confirmed the man as being Mr Ellis, who is said to have originated from West Yorkshire but who has links to both Gorton and Ardwick.
However, they said officers had still not been unable to trace his next of kin. And they are now appealing for anyone who may be able to help them track them down to come forward.
"Police are appealing for help to trace the next of kin of a man with links to the Ardwick and Gorton areas" they said n a statement. "Craig Ellis, born in Pontefract, West Yorkshire in December 1981, was found deceased on Hyde Road on Monday 14 November 2022.
"There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. Anyone with information about Craig’s next of kin should contact the Police Coroner’s Office in Manchester on 0161 856 3485."
Speaking to the M.E.N yesterday, Nabard Amin who works at the car wash and who found Mr Ellis said he initially thought he was asleep. He said the tragedy had deeply affected both him and his colleagues.
"Maybe he is coming here at night, as in the day I would have seen him" he said. "It is worrying. If he had been in the car this morning we may not have seen him and not have found him for who knows, weeks, months.
"I do not know why he had to sleep outside. It is just so, so sad. Everyone here is upset today."
There was also a considerable amount of shock and upset among both local residents and politicians. Manchester Central MP and Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell said it was ' heartbreaking that someone's life can end in such tragic circumstances in the Manchester of 20222.'
Whilst Ardwick councilor Tina Hewitson said: ""No one should be living like this, how many more people are going to lose their lives?"
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