The mum of a Dundee man found dead at a dump in Belgium has spoken of her devastation.
Belgian police have launched an inquiry into the death of Norman Hart, and investigators are pursuing the theory that he was crushed after the bin he was sleeping in was picked up by a collection lorry.
The body of the 48-year-old father of two, a busker from Broughty Ferry, was found in a warehouse at a container park in Tienen.
An investigation overseen by Sarah Callewaert of the federal justice department was launched amid suspicions of foul play.
However, a post mortem has established Mr Hart’s death was likely a tragic accident.
Ms Callewaert said: “He died of suffocation in a bin lorry. He must have been inside the dustbin sleeping when it was lifted by the lorry.”
Reports suggested the container had been emptied the previous week, and that Mr Hart had been crushed by the container mechanism.
Investigators are working with the waste processing company to establish where exactly the bin was located.
“There is still further research be done,” said Ms Callewaert.
Norman’s mother Jean Hart, 70, said her son would be remembered as a “free spirit”.
“Norman was a well-known character in Dundee from busking and he had travelled all over the world,” she said. “He had started writing a book about his travels to different countries.
“He had a loving family we just want him to be remembered as a beautiful loving person and a free spirit.”