Man found dead in Slateford flat after up to eight weeks

A MAN found dead in his Edinburgh flat is believed to have been lying there since Christmas.

The property in Hutchison Avenue. Picture: Toby Williams

The body of Kenny Tytler, 42, was discovered in Hutchison Avenue, Slateford, on Tuesday morning.

Neighbours in his three-storey apartment block raised the alarm after suffering infestations of insects and failing to get any response from Mr Tytler’s flat.

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Council officials were called out and a joiner forced entry to the apartment, stumbling across the decomposing body at around 10.45am.

It is believed Rangers fan Mr Tytler – known as a friendly neighbour – passed away between six and eight weeks ago, but a full post-mortem is still to be carried out.

Witnesses said police removed his body from the flat on Tuesday afternoon. Yesterday, the apartment’s windows were still open to air out the interior, while a metal grill had been placed over the door.

One neighbour, who has lived in an adjacent apartment block for around ten years, said: “We were told he’d been lying there for six weeks.

“The women in the flats above and below were both having insect problems.

“That’s what made them knock on his door.

“I think it took so long to discover him because it’s winter, and you wouldn’t get the smell so much.

“We just knew him in passing as the ‘Rangers guy’, because he always wore a Rangers top. He’s been there for two or three years.

“He had a girlfriend with a child, but where they stay I don’t know. There were times when you didn’t see him for ages. There was a police car outside the door all yesterday.”

Another elderly resident described the incident as a tragic sign of the decline in community spirit.

He said: “It’s awful. Everything has changed in the last ten years or so.

“You don’t know your neighbours like you used to.”

Workmen carrying out repairs to the road outside Mr Tytler’s flat said council officials had complained of a foul stench when they gained entry – with the body reportedly already in a severe state of decomposition.

The incident comes less than a year after the body of a Leith pensioner was found in an Easter Road tenement, having lain undiscovered for more than three years.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police were called to an address in Hutchison Avenue on Tuesday, February 23, following a report of concern for a man.

“Sadly a 42-year-old man was found dead within the property. Inquiries are ongoing but the death is not believed to be suspicious.”

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