RESIDENTS have told of their shock after a man was found dead at his home and a murder inquiry was launched.

The body of the 58-year-old was found at his flat in Harrow Road, just off Tarring Road, Worthing, on Friday evening at around 5.30pm.

Sussex Police initially treated his death as unexplained but later said it was a murder investigation following earlier enquiries.

Neighbours have paid tribute to the “lovely and friendly” man known to them as Steve and expressed their shock at finding out that officers had launched a murder probe.

Brian Greenaway, 76, is the Harrow Road Neighbourhood Watch leader and lives opposite the flat where the body was found.

He said: “I didn’t know until yesterday that it was a murder investigation.

“It is just too close to home and I was really shocked to hear it.

“He was a very nice, quiet fellow.

“I can’t think of any reason why someone would want to harm him.

“You hear this kind of thing in the news but you just don’t expect it in a street like this.

“The trouble is we don’t precisely know how many people have been living in the building.

“There have been so many people moving in and out of the house over recent years.

“I saw Steve once or twice a week and we stopped for a chat outside.

“He always said good morning to others living in the street.

“It is very sad to hear the news of his death.”

Police officers and a team of forensic investigators were sent to the road on Friday night before cordoning it off at 10.30pm.

The investigation was continuing yesterday, with officers still at the property with police tape cordoning off the crime scene.

A resident living nearby and working in Tarring Road, who asked not to be named, said: “I saw Steve almost every day.

“He was a very nice person.

“I honestly feel sorry when I hear about what happened to him.

“When I heard about it I was just shocked.

“I think one of the neighbours found his body.

“He saw the door to the flat was open and found him dead inside. We hardly have any problems in this area.

“It is just not what you want to hear.”

No arrests have been made and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.