Canal drowning not 'suspicious'.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that they are no longer treating the drowning of Alexander Lynch as 'suspicious', and the case has been passed over to the coroner.

The body of Alexander 'Jimmy' Lynch, was discovered in the Rochdale Canal near to Dale Street and Ducie Street, in the early hours of Friday October 3. The area is a well known public sex environment, and from the beginning of the investigation police struggled to get witnesses to come forward.

GMP worked closely with Manchester's LGBT community on the case, issuing joint press releases with the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, and liaising with the Gay Village's business leaders.

Now that the case is no longer being treated as suspicious, the focus is on canal safety. A spokesperson for the LGF said: 'We would like to take this opportunity to stress to users of the canal to take care, especially at this time of year when the water can reach freezing.'

Lynch was 46 and had connections in the Manchester, Wrexham and Glasgow areas.