An investigation has been opened to establish a cause of death after a man was found dead behind a Gateshead pub.
Emergency services were scrambled to the Fox and Hounds pub in Crawcrook on the morning of June 10 following the discovery of a body.
The area to the rear of the pub was cordoned off as officers conducted inquiries for several hours.
Northumbria Police confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious, and referred the incident to Gateshead Coroners.
The coroner's office has now confirmed an investigation has been opened to establish the man's cause of death.
The man's identity has not been released at this stage.
Fred Lloyd, joint owner of Pet Haven on Main Street , which sits opposite the Fox and Hounds, learned of the grim discovery through his customers.
He left his shop briefly before 12pm to walk the dogs, and returned to find a flurry of activity around the pub.
Fred, 50, said: “There’s been a few people knocking about and gawping.
"We found out through our customers. I’ve not had any police in here.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said on Monday: “At this time we do not believe there to be any third party involvement or any suspicious circumstances.”
