Police confirm it is no longer treating Mark Herron's death as murder after body found in garage fire remains

Police have confirmed the death of a Sunderland man whose remains were found after a garage fire is no longer being treated as a murder.
By Fiona Thompson
Published 6th Jul 2020, 16:15 BST
Updated 6th Jul 2020, 16:38 BST
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Mark Herron, 53, of Bedford Place in New Silksworth, was discovered dead inside the building in the days after a fire broke out in Tunstall Village Green on Tuesday, February 18, this year.

At the time, Northumbria Police confirmed they were treating the death as suspicious and launched a murder inquiry.

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A man, who was 38 at the time, was arrested on suspicion of murder however he has now been released with no further action as the police end the murder investigation.

Mark Herron's funeral service was told he would be "loved and cherished forever.”Mark Herron's funeral service was told he would be "loved and cherished forever.”
Mark Herron's funeral service was told he would be "loved and cherished forever.”

On Monday, July 6, Northumbria Police said it is satisfied no one else was involved in Mark’s death or the fire.

A spokesperson said: “The death of Mark is now non-suspicious and a man arrested has been released with no further action to be taken.

“A report will be prepared for the coroner.”

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were called to the fire inside the detached garage at 8.30pm on Tuesday, February 18, and spent all night tackling the blaze.

A horsedrawn carriage arrives at Sunderland Crematorium for the funeral of Mark Herron back in March.A horsedrawn carriage arrives at Sunderland Crematorium for the funeral of Mark Herron back in March.
A horsedrawn carriage arrives at Sunderland Crematorium for the funeral of Mark Herron back in March.
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On Wednesday, February 26, police confirmed it had been Mark whose remains had been found under “dense and substantial rubble” inside the garage.

An inquest into Mr Herron’s death was opened in March and the hearing a cause of death was yet to be formally established.

The next inquest hearing is scheduled to take place on Friday, August 28, at Sunderland Civic Centre, but that date is liable to change.

A funeral held for Mark at Sunderland Crematorium was told he would be “cherished forever” as his friends and family gathered to say their final farewell.

Police at the scene of the blaze as inquiries were carried out at Tunstall Village Green.Police at the scene of the blaze as inquiries were carried out at Tunstall Village Green.
Police at the scene of the blaze as inquiries were carried out at Tunstall Village Green.

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