Decomposing physique present in flat – however residents are livid over ‘foul scent’

Residents of a city centre apartment block have been left devastated after the body of their neighbour was found in his flat – and they have been left to deal with a “foul smell”

The residents of a Cardiff city centre apartment block are in shock after the grim discovery of their neighbour’s body in his flat at Bronte House on Newport Road. The locals were left dealing with a “foul smell” that had been lingering, which has only added to their distress.

South Wales Police have confirmed the sudden death of a man in one of the flats last Friday evening (March 21), stating there was nothing suspicious about the incident and that the deceased’s family has been notified. A mum-of-three from the block spoke out about the “horrific situation”, highlighting the anguish it’s caused for everyone, especially as Bronte House is home to many young families. “It’s horrific,” she said, choosing to stay anonymous.

She blasted the situation, criticising the landlord for what she sees as a massive failure in responsibility, particularly regarding the unbearable stench and the lack of action taken.

According to her, Linc Cymru, the housing association in charge, didn’t properly respond to complaints about the odour over the weekend. Linc Cymru has since issued an apology for the distress caused and promised to look into their procedures for potential improvements, as reported by Wales Online, reports the Mirror.

Earlier this week, locals started wrinkling their noses at a foul stench wafting through the neighbourhood. One resident voiced her alarm, saying: “I thought it may be rubbish piled up by the door but I did start to think earlier this week that it doesn’t just smell like rubbish but something worse.”

The plot thickened on Friday night when she got a knock on the door with news that police were about to bust into a flat over concerns for someone’s welfare. After the coppers made a grim find, she was clued in that the neighbour had tragically died and braced her for an even more “significantly worse” pong.

As the night wore on, the flat’s door stayed wide open while officers and a coroner investigated, before eventually moving the body. The police promised the smell would eventually go, but come Saturday morning, the resident reported the whiff was “much worse”. She reckoned the door’s security was broken, leaving big gaps that let the reek creep down the hall and into other homes.

She shared: “I was worried that it’s a health hazard and it’s also personally distressing, especially because I have my children here with me. I understand that cleaning crews may not be able to be instructed until Monday but the door being like that is contributing to the problem and they know there is no ventilation in the hallway.

“[Linc] have an obligation but they don’t seem interested. I’m not surprised unfortunately but I am horrified.”

A Linc spokesman said: “Our thoughts and sympathies go to everyone affected by these sad events, to the family and friends of the deceased, and to his neighbours who have been affected. We received notice from South Wales Police of their attendance late on Friday night via our out of hours service. They advised that the property had been secured, and no further action was required by us at that time.”

“Normal practice is to wait for confirmation that it is okay to gain access without risk of interfering with any ongoing investigations. Arrangements were made for the property to be inspected and our teams have been on site on Monday to make the door fully secure and to arrange a deep clean of the property. Our neighbourhood team have also spoken with residents who have contacted us and offered full support.”

A spokesperson for South Wales Police has confirmed the tragic news: “South Wales Police can confirm the sudden death of a man found at a flat in Bronte House, Newport Road, Cardiff, on Friday evening (March 21). There are no suspicious circumstances and enquiries are on-going. Next of kin has been informed.

“Officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team have visited the flats following concerns raised by residents and the housing provider has also been updated.”

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