Police Chief 'May Have Committed Suicide'

A post-mortem has been carried out on the body of Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Michael Todd, who was found dead in north Wales on Tuesday.

According to reports, the examination has found no obvious cause of death.

The 50-year-old married father-of-three was found dead at the foot of a cliff near Bwlch Glas in Snowdon on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Todd had been reported missing on Monday night. It is believed that he may have committed suicide.

According to reports, letters addressed to his family were found near his body, while other reports indicated that his behaviour over the past few days had caused concern to those close to him. However, police have reportedly denied that letters were found at or near the scene.

There has also been speculation that a Sunday newspaper may have been planning an expose on him. Reports have also suggested that his apparent suicide may be linked to extra-marital affairs.

An inquest into his death is due to be opened and adjourned on Thursday. His body was formally idenitified by a colleague from Greater Manchester Police today.

Mr Todd had been Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police since 2002, having previously been an Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police.

He had been tipped as a possible future Metropolitan Police Commissioner - the highest policing position in the UK.

Politicians and colleagues have paid tributes to Mr Todd. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Chief Constable Todd has had a long and distinguished career in various forces and has contributed greatly to the fight against crime and terrorism."

Dave Whatton, Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, said: "As you can imagine all of his friends and colleagues are extremely upset. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family and I would ask that they be left in peace to come to terms with this tragic shock."

Ken Jones, Association of Chief Police Officers President, said: "Mike has made an enormous contribution to policing in Manchester and nationally throughout his distinguished career.

"The news of his death is a tragedy and he will be greatly missed by chief officer colleagues and all who worked with him during his career."

(KMcA)