A final report investigating the death of a Southend pensioner in a freezing council flat is set to be published next month.

The probe into whether Southend Council could have done more to help 73-year-old Josef Krasy, who died in November 1998, was launched by the authority in February.

Mr Krasy, who was originally from Poland, was found dead in his flat at Beaver Tower, Mansel Close, in Eastwood.

A post mortem found he died of natural causes brought on by heart disease but council social services bosses believed he died of hypothermia.

The investigation panel was made up of Southend Citizens Advice Bureau manager Colin George, Southend councillor Alan Crystall (Lib Dem, Leigh) and Linda Hogben of the Thurrock branch of mental health charity Mind.

Yesterday council chief executive and town clerk George Krawiec said the report had now gone before councillors in private session.

He added: "We anticipate a public statement, once all the parties involved have been consulted, to be released by the middle or end of May."

Social services bosses said last year that they had visited Mr Krasy but he refused help, saying his problems were financial.

His death sparked Southend West MP Amess to launch his Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill.

The measure would force the Government to fit energy efficient measures in eight million homes where the occupants cannot afford to keep warm.

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