A MAN found dead in his Aberdeen home may have lain for up to a month before being discovered.
Police found Frank Horne, believed to be in his 60s, in his Lang Stracht home on Friday.
His niece, Carolyn Horne, who lives in Ontario, Canada, said the family had been informed of his death.
She said: “The local police were knocking at his door a couple of days ago for unrelated reasons.
“When he didn’t answer their knocks, they saw through the window that he was there.
“They got the door open and found him dead.”
Ms Horne said police had told her that her uncle had been dead for about a month.
A police spokesman confirmed officers were investigating an incident at the property and a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal.
Ms Horne said no foul play was suspected.
A neighbour who did not want to be named described Mr Horne as “a nice quiet man, who kept himself to himself”.
He added: “I did notice he hadn’t been around for a while but I just thought he was away somewhere. It’s very sad.”
Last night, Aberdeen City councillor Steve Delaney, who represents the Kingswells, Sheddocksley, Mastrick and Summerhill areas, said: “It is very sad to hear of this, especially at this time of year.
“It is something that does happen from time to time to people who live on their own. We all need to look out for people around us who don’t have family nearby.”
George Thomson, chairman of the Grampian Senior Citizens Forum, said: “It is sad that someone was lying there for a month without anybody realising there was something wrong. If there are any older people living near, I would try and keep an eye open for them.” Councillor Len Ironside said: “It is a sad indictment on society that we don’t look out for people more. We all need to be a bit more vigilant.”
Aberdeen Donside SNP MSP Mark McDonald also urged people to “look out for one another”.
He added: “It is important that we look out for our neighbours, especially in the winter months, when any people can find themselves falling ill.”
North East Labour MSP Richard Baker said: “It is very sad and it must be very distressing for the family, especially at this time of the year.
“Sadly, it is not the first time that people have been left for weeks before being found.”
In November 2007, Rod Hodge lay dead in his flat in Great Northern Road, Aberdeen, for more than a week after he slipped in the bath.
He was discovered by workers from Langstane Housing Association after neighbours became suspicious.
Earlier that year, the body of 61-year-old Jim Sinclair was found in his Roslin Street flat in the city. He was believed to have lain dead for as long as 14 months.
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