POLICE are backing away from a theory that the death of a 37-year-old man, who collapsed at a house earlier this month, was connected to a suspected altercation.

The investigation into the death of the man, who was taken ill at an address on Hargreaves Street, Broad Oak, on Friday, April 18 before passing away in hospital hours later, has been classed as an “unexplained death”, as reported by the Star last week.

An initial public appeal for information by police suggested he may have been involved in an altercation with three men in the hours before his death, raising fears the death was suspicious.

However, police appear to be backing away from that theory, although they are still awaiting the findings of a post mortem, the outcome of which is being withheld, pending the results of toxicology tests.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0151 777 6084/6811, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.