Police remain mystified about the death of a trans-sexual two weeks after his chained body was washed up on a Suffolk beach.

Following an appeal for information detectives are now confident Bryan Hooley travelled by bus from his home to Chelmsford on the morning of February 23.

But there is still an eight-day period in which Mr Hooley's whereabouts are a mystery.

The naked body of Mr Hooley, 28, from St Michael's Drive, Roxwell, near Chelmsford, was found washed up on Kessingland beach, near Lowestoft on March 2.

A post-mortem examination revealed death was due to drowning, but was inconclusive as to whether foul play was involved. Police continue to treat his death as suspicious.

Mr Hooley underwent a sex change operation in 1994 and also used the name Christine Chappel. He was known to dress both as a man and a woman.

Det Supt Adrian Braddy, leading the investigation, said: "We put out an appeal last week after we received information of two possible sightings of Bryan."

He said police knew Mr Hooley was on the number 46 bus at about 8am on Wednesday, February 23, but had been unable to build on another sighting in which a person fitting Bryan's description was seen with a man in Chelmsford town centre on Saturday, February 26.

They want that man to come forward.

A calf-length beige raincoat with wide lapels, a blue suit and a pair of jeans are missing from Mr Hooley's house, and have still not been traced.

Police are also renewing their appeal to trace the origin of the chains and weights found wrapped around Mr Hooley's body.

Because of the volume of calls from the public the incident room is moving to Suffolk Police headquarters in Martlesham Heath.

This will allow the inquiry team to use the Holmes computer system to speed up the processing of information.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 01986 835144 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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