Police have launched a murder inquiry after a man’s body was found in a block of flats this morning.

Officers were called to the flats, Caulkers House, in Shipwrights Avenue, Chatham, shortly after 7.30am, where they found the man deceased.

Two people, a man and a woman, both from Chatham, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and they are currently being questioned by police.

The dead man was 29 years old and of no fixed address.

Residents, who were out of their flats at the time, were kept outside the building but were allowed back in by 11.30am.

Others were told to stay inside while officers carried out their investigations. Forensic officers were also at the scene gathering evidence.

Some said they had been woken at around 5am, with one man saying he heard some arguments at around 4.30am.

The victim is said to have been found on the stairwell of the block of flats wearing only his underwear.

One resident reported seeing a man and woman being taken away by police.

Matt King, 21, who lives in Strood, had been staying at the flats on the morning of the discovery.
He said: “We heard some arguments going on about 4.30am this morning two resident drunks walking up the stairs arguing.

“Then there was some loud banging, some people heard loud banging at about 5am then at 8am when we woke up we found out there was a body out there.

“I looked out of the window and saw in the stairwell between the fourth and the fifth floor, a guy just laying in his boxers.

“I then heard about the guy who got taken away in the van, I could overhear it from outside."

At about noon, team of detectives from the serious crime directorate left the building and went back to the police station for a briefing.

Stephanie Bridger 22, lives in Caulkers House, the mum of one, said: “I got a knock on the door this morning saying we were not allowed out of the flats, and there is a dead body on between the fourth and fifth floor.

"So I went round my mates over the back to have a looked over her balcony to see what was going on and saw two people being nicked on the premises.

“One was taken off in a big wagon and one was taken off in a car.

“I slept right through it, but my partner heard metal banging but the lifts are being fixed at the moment and we just thought it was that.

“We don’t know who it is we have not been told.”

Sasha Healey, 19, who also lives in the flats said: “I woke up at 5am this morning as my partner went to work.

"He then came back and I heard some banging and screaming and spoke to him and then he said it was coming from the stairs and we thought it might be the lift being repaired.

“Then about 8am my neighbour knocked on the door and said there was police and a dead body outside.
"Then we came out and there was police everywhere.

"The man was on the stairs and we got told he was just in his boxers."

A spokesman for Kent Police said: “Officers were called to a block of flats in Shipwrights Avenue at 7.36am on Monday 28 August 2017 and, upon arrival, a man was found deceased.

Video: The scene of the suspected murder

“A 35-year-old man from Chatham and a 34-year-old woman from Chatham have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They remain in police custody.

“Officers remain at the scene conducting ongoing enquiries.”

Anyone with information on the incident can call Kent Police on 101 quoting 28-0203, alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.