Police in France have discovered the skeletal remains of Spanish national Alberto Rodriguez at his home near the Belgian border. Rodriguez, born in 1921, was found in his bed with no apparent signs of violence. However, it appears that he could have been dead since 1997.
The body was found by a council official who went to the premises after complaints by a neighbour about water leaks. Rodriguez was wearing pyjamas and was in his bed.
In addition to ascertaining the exact cause of death, the authorities are keen to discover how it was possible that no-one noticed his absence for at least the past 15 years.