Death of man in Brighton 'part of living in the city' say neighbours

Paramedics tried to resuscitate the man when they discovered his body at a flat in Devonshire Place, Brighton, at around midday on Friday.

Police arrested a man, 37, who was also in the flat, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Police and paramedics entering a property in Devonshire Place (Image: Andrew Gardner)

Even though the road was closed for hours, many people living nearby said they did not realise what had happened and were shocked to hear the news.

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Argus on Monday: “I came back and saw the ambulance and police cars which were here for a few hours.

“I had no idea the man had died, though. It’s a shame.”

Almost all the terraced Regency townhouses in Devonshire Place have been concerted into flats, which leads to a high turnover of tenants.

The road was closed for a number of hours (Image: Andrew Gardner)

Jean Taylor, who has lived in the street since 1986, said: “People come and go, it’s very transient, most of the road is bedsits now.

“This sort of thing doesn’t happen very often. But you just get used to it when it does.

“I’m from London, you get used to living in the city. I’ve been here since 1986. To me it’s just part of living in the city.

“It’s all very sad though.”

A couple who are new to the area, and also asked not to be named, said they we unaware there had been an incident at all.

An ambulance responding to the incident in Devonshire Place (Image: Andrew Gardner)

“We have only been here since April, we had no idea the man had died,” they said.

“We didn’t know him but we don’t really know our neighbours. Hopefully this doesn’t become a regular thing here.”

READ MORE: Man found dead in Brighton guest house after taking drug at party

A man was found dead in Devonshire Place in 2021 after taking a snowball, a mix of cocaine and heroin, at a party.