THE family of a man who died with a crossbow bolt through his heart are struggling to make sense of his sudden death, as police confirm they are no longer investigating what they suspect is a “freak accident”.

Mark Nougher, 53, a carpenter from Chingford, was found dead by his lodger in the second-floor apartment they shared in Costa Blanca, Spain.

Results from a post mortem examination are yet to be released, but with no suicide note at the scene and no sign of a break-in, the Spanish police suspect it was an accident.

The eldest daughter of the divorced father-of-four, Emily Nougher, of Higham Station Avenue, Chingford, said that the family was finding it difficult to grieve properly, not knowing if he intended to take his own life or not.

Ms Nougher said: “Everyone is upset and we still don’t know what to think.

“It is hard because until we know whether or not it was suicide or an accident, we cannot come to terms with it.”

Many members of family and friends attended a moving funeral for Mr Nougher in Spain after the body was released by Spanish police three days earlier.

Ms Nougher added: “It was a really nice send-off for him and there were lots of people there, so that was nice."

His family are intending to hold a memorial gathering in the Chingford area for all of his friends and relatives who were unable to travel to Spain.

Police believe Mr Nougher may have died days before he was discovered by his Spanish flatmate.

A small crossbow was found lying near his body.

Mr Nougher had lived in the same house in Chingford for 27 years before deciding to emigrate to Spain.