THE family of a man who was found dead in undergrowth after going missing from his home have vowed to continue their fight for ‘justice’ for the 36-year-old.

Following the discovery of window cleaner Sean Coupe in bushes near Lowerhouse Lodge, Burnley, in May 2006, his mother Kathleen has been critical of police investigations into his demise.

An open verdict was yesterday recorded by East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor, after a two-day inquest into Mr Coupe’s death , after he heard that a number of unanswered questions remained about his last movements.

Mr Coupe, a father-of-two, had left his home in Bear Street, Burnley, around 1am, after a disagreement with his on-off partner Katie Wakeford.

He had taken a quilt, pillow and a number of insulin pens, which he used to control the diabetes he had suffered from since he was 15.

He was found the following lunchtime after a search by his family and friends, Burnley Coroner’s Court was told.

The deceased’s mother, Kathleen, of Bath Street, Nelson, said she was unhappy about a number of aspects of the police investigation following his death. One of her chief complaints was about the log of her son’s property, particularly the number of insulin pens he was carrying and how many were found to be used at the time of his death.

Dr Walid Salman, who conducted a post-mortem examination on Mr Coupe, gave the cause of death as ‘unascertainable’. But a further review by Dr John Grant showed the most probable cause was broncho-pneumonia.

Mrs Coupe said: “There was never a proper police investigation in the first place and there has not been since.

“He was a really good son and we just want justice for him. I am not saying he was perfect but he was a nice person. We just want answers because we don’t think the truth has come out so far.”

The family has complained to the Independent Police Complaints Commission over the police investigation.

Retired police detective inspector Sam Birtwell, who led the initial inquiry, said that whatever obligations may have existed, regarding the deceased’s disappearance, no criminal offence had been committed.

Mr Birtwell said that there was no evidence of foul play, regarding the death, whatever concerns the family may have.

In his report into the death he concluded: “It is my contention that Sean took an insulin overdose as part of an attention-seeking exercise.

“He reckoned that he would be found in time.”