A man found dead after a suspected burglary has been formally identified by police.

Stephen Pope, 35 of Waltham Abbey was found by a woman in an alleyway off Mason Way in Waltham Abbey at around 1pm on Thursday.

At the same time Mr Pope was found there was a report of a burglary nearby.

A post-mortem examination held yesterday has determined his cause of death as suffocation. It is believed Mr Pope died after a fence panel collapsed on him.

Tributes have been laid at the scene by the parents and family of Mr Pope.

Two men aged 51 and 27 were arrested on suspicion of burglary on Thursday. The 51 year-old has been bailed pending further enquiries.  

Unemployed Albert Brinkley, 27, of no fixed address, has been charged with burglary and is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court today.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances of Mr Pope's death which are currently unexplained.

Anyone with information regarding both incidents is asked to call the Serious Crime Directorate via Essex Police on 101.