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Body found at waste facility

Body of a man found at a recycling plant in Bristol has been formally identified as that of Matthew Symonds, aged 34, of no fixed address in Swindon, police said.

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Death of man found at waste tip "not suspicious"

Matthew Symonds' body was found at a recycling plant Credit: family photograph

Police investigating the death of Swindon man Matthew Symonds whose body was found at a waste facility in Bristol say they are not treating his death as suspicious.

The Major Crime Investigation team which brings together specialist investigative staff from both Avon and Somerset and Wiltshire Police have been conducting enquiries into the death.

Mr Symonds was found deceased at a waste facility in Avonmouth on 1st August 2014. It has been established that his body was transported with commercial recycling waste from a location in the centre of Swindon.

A preliminary Post Mortem examination has been completed and further tests are being carried out. A file is being prepared on behalf of H M Coroner. An inquest will be held at a later date.

A referral has also been made to the Health and Safety Executive.

"The whole family are shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Matthew in such circumstances.

We remain distressed about the way it happened – it is a tragedy and appears to have been a terrible accident. He will never be forgotten.

Despite his hard life and upbringing he was a good lad who was kind and polite. He loved to talk and would continue until in the end you had to tell him to be quiet.

The loss of his mum had a massive impact on him. As an only child he was devoted to his mum Madeline who sadly died in September last year. Due to the post mortem and police investigation, it has not been possible to make any funeral arrangements yet.”

– Susan & Rachel Symonds (Nan & Aunt)

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More tests needed to find out how Swindon man died

Wiltshire police say they need to carry out further tests to find out how a man whose body was found at a waste facility in Avonmouth last week died. Initial post mortem examinations have been carried out on 34 year old Matthew Symonds from Swindon. Police say they now know that Mr Symonds body was transported with commercial recycling waste from a site in Swindon to the centre in Avonmouth.

“The team have carried out a large amount of enquiries over the weekend and so far there is no indication that Mr Symonds was assaulted. The investigation is ongoing and we continue to keep an open mind about the circumstances of his death.”

– DCI Gareth Bevan, Senior investigating officer
  1. National

Body found at recycling plant identified as Swindon man

Body of a man found at a recycling plant in Bristol has been formally identified as that of Matthew Symonds, aged 34, of no fixed address in Swindon, police said.

Workers discovered his remains at the plant in Avonmouth in Bristol yesterday morning.

Mr Symonds' death is being treated as unexplained, police said. A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out later today.

Read: Human remains found at Bristol recycling plant

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Police confirm man's body found at Biffa site

Police confirm man's body found at Biffa site Credit: ITV News West Country

Police in Bristol have confirmed that the body of a man has been found at a Biffa waste facility in Avonmouth. They have told us the man is believed to be in his 30s and a post mortem is being carried out later today.

"The incident is being investigated and police are following several lines of inquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

“Police enquiries so far suggest the body was transported with commercial recycling waste collected in Swindon and therefore the focus of the investigation will be in that area going forward. "The investigation is at an early stage and we are keeping an open mind about the circumstances leading to this man's death.”

– DCI Gareth Bevan, Senior investigating officer
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