Car park fall man was questioned by police hours before death

Exclusive by Steve Hayes

12 February 2010

A MAN from Stratford who fell to his death from a multi-storey car park had been questioned by police on the day of his death, it has been revealed.
Police this week identified the man as 55-year-old James Francis Costello, of St Mary's Street, and confirmed they questioned him at Leamington police station shortly before his death but did not say what about.
Mr Costello, a freelance journalist and writer, died from multiple injuries on Friday January 26 after the fall from the Leamington town centre car park, at the back of the town's Tesco store, at 5.20pm.
Police said they are not treating the incident as suspicious.
An inquest into his death has since been open and adjourned.
Mr Costello had worked for magazines such as New Scientist and Ideal Home in the 1980s and was also a guitar tutor.
The case was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission by Warwickshire Police which is standard practice for anyone questioned within 48 hours of his death.
But the IPCC have since decided not to investigate the case.
A police spokesperson said : "We can confirm that the man who fell to his death had been questioned by the police prior to his death.
"We are unable to give any details relating to why he was being questioned as this is part of an ongoing investigation.
"It is mandatory for a police force to refer a case to the IPCC if the person has been in contact with the police within 48 hours prior to their death or serious injury.
"Warwickshire Police, in accordance with these requirements immediately referred the case to the IPCC. We have since been informed that the IPCC has taken the decision that they do not need to investigate the incident."

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