Police investigating a sudden death arrested three men after finding a stolen car near the house where the body of a man was found.
The three men, all aged in their 20s and from the Peterlee area, were questioned on suspicion of the theft and also possible drugs offences, before being released on police bail on Sunday, pending further inquiries.
As reported by the Echo yeste
rday, the body of a 25-year-old man, who police have revealed is from the Thorney Close area of Sunderland, was found after a party at a house in Hudson Avenue, Horden, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
While police were at the scene, it emerged that a Vauxhall Astra, stolen on Friday night from outside a house in Cleveland Road, Sunderland, was in a street close to Hudson Avenue.
At this stage, police are not in a position to identify the deceased and a post-mortem examination has yet to be carried out, but the death is not being treated as suspicious.
Police were called to the house at 3.40am on Saturday, and paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene.
Officers are appealing to local people to help them with their inquiries.
Detective Inspector Marian Garland said: "There was a house party taking place on Friday night and Saturday morning at the address in Hudson Avenue.
"We have spoken to a number of people who were present, but would be keen to hear from anyone else who has not yet come forward.
"Also, if there are any neighbours who saw or heard anything they feel may be of use to our investigations we would like to hear from them.
"They can call Peterlee CID directly or ring Crimestoppers if they would prefer not to give their details."
Anyone with information should ring Peterlee CID on the non-emergency number 0345 6060 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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