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A man who found the body of his neighbour who had vanished for eight days has described the horror of finding him on top of his house.

Gerard Colgan, 32, had been reported missing from an address in Harehills Avenue, Chapeltown, near Leeds, West Yorkshire.

He was believed to have climbed onto the roof through a Velux window in the top floor flat where he was living. 

But yesterday, his neighbour – who asked not to be named, was shocked when he was confronted with a dead body. ‘We don’t know how long he had been on my roof. I didn’t see him,’ he said.

‘I think the police were already looking for him and they must have seen him. He climbed onto my roof from next door, but I didn’t know him.

‘You don’t expect to learn have a dead body on your roof.’

Another shocked resident, who also did not want to be named, added: ‘I knew Gerard a little. He was a nice lad. It is sad to think he might have been up there alone for a few days whilst his family and friends were hoping he would turn up safe.’

Firefighters were seen covering Mr Colgan’s body with a yellow tarpaulin before they carried him down. 

Gerard Colgan, 32, (pictured) was reported missing from an address in Harehills Avenue, Chapeltown, near Leeds, West Yorkshire on Friday

Gerard Colgan, 32, (pictured) was reported missing from an address in Harehills Avenue, Chapeltown, near Leeds, West Yorkshire on Friday

Firefighters were seen using a crane in their bid to retrieve the body. The owner of the property next door, who asked not to be named, said: 'We don't know how long he had been on my roof. I didn't see him.'

Firefighters were seen using a crane in their bid to retrieve the body. The owner of the property next door, who asked not to be named, said: ‘We don’t know how long he had been on my roof. I didn’t see him.’

Formal identification is yet to take place, but it is believed to be Mr Colgan, police have said. His family and friends have been informed.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and the Coroner’s Office had been notified. 

Roads surrounding the home were closed off as emergency services attended the scene.

Footage showed an emergency worker emerging from the skyline to check the body.

Ambulances, firefighters and police officers attended the scene, but it appeared the man had already died.

While formal identification is yet to take place the body is believed to be that of missing Mr Colgan who had not been seen since October 2

While formal identification is yet to take place the body is believed to be that of missing Mr Colgan who had not been seen since October 2

Emergency services attended the scene, including firefighters, ambulance workers and police officers

Emergency services attended the scene, including firefighters, ambulance workers and police officers

Firefighters were then seen using a ladder platform to recover the corpse.

Images released show the body lying on the roof of the home, covered in a yellow blanket.

Harehills Avenue was sealed off as were surrounding streets such as Spencer Place.

Numerous roads in the Chapeltown area of the city were also closed. 

Mr Colgan, known as ‘Ged’, went missing on October 2 leading his family to become increasingly concerned about his welfare.

The man, from Leeds with links to the Hyde Park area, was last seen in Chapeltown and Chapel Allerton by friends.

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His sister Anna Colgan and brother Rory Colgan both appealed for information on Facebook last week. 

His brother said: ‘My brothers (not been seen for a few days and were all a little concerned about his wellbeing.’

On Friday Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds North West, said Mr Colgan had ‘not been seen in nearly a week’. 

Mr Colgan was a trainee chef, believed to have been working at the Restaurant Bar and Grill, known as RBG, in Leeds. 

Yorkshire Ambulance Service have been contacted for a statement. 

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police Force said: ‘The body of a man found on the roof of a house in Leeds yesterday is believed to a man reported missing from the address. 

‘Gerard Colgan, aged 32, was reported missing from the address in Harehills Avenue, Chapeltown, on Friday.

‘At 2.40pm on Sunday, the body was located on the roof. While formal identification is yet to be completed, it is believed to be Mr Colgan and his family has been informed.

‘There were no suspicious circumstances and the Coroner’s Office has been notified.’

A spokeswoman for Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: ‘We were called at 14.40 on 9/10/22 to a domestic property on Harehills Avenue, Leeds. We sent a crew from Leeds station to assist a police incident.’ 

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