POLICE said they have been unable to recover a number of documents in their inquiry into the death of a psychiatric patient 26 years ago.
Officers are investigating the death of Jonathan Longstaff, who died in a fire in the psychiatric wing of Darlington Memorial Hospital, County Durham, in 1975.
Four other patient deaths followed within months, and an inquiry was held.
Police reopened the case of Mr Longstaff's death after being prompted by relatives.
Detective Chief Superintendent Harry Stephenson said officers had interviewed people, and were looking at documentation, but some had been impossible to recover because of the time span.
unable to recover purely because of the length of time that has passed.
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