Police chief death may be suicide

The inquiry into the death of Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Michael Todd will look into the possibility he committed suicide.

The father-of-three was found dead at the foot of a cliff near Bwlch Glas on Tuesday afternoon.

Sources have revealed notes addressed to Mr Todd's family were found close to where his body was discovered on Snowdon in north Wales.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place.

The search for Mr Todd began in the early hours of Tuesday, but it was later in the day that hill walkers reported seeing a body near the summit of Snowdon.

Rescuers, who had been searching nine miles (15 km) away, were redirected to Bwlch Glas.

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His body was carried down from the mountain despite poor weather conditions.

Ian Henderson, from Llanberis Mountain Rescue, said: "His body was brought down and transferred by ambulance to Bangor Hospital.

"Winds on the mountain were blowing at 80 knots and were blowing directly in the faces of the guys, who also faced intermittent snow showers.

"The intention was to deal with the body at the scene and airlift it, but because the weather conditions deteriorated we had to commit many people on foot to carry it down on a stretcher."

Tributes have continued to be paid to Mr Todd who had been tipped as a future Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Dave Whatton, said staff in the force were "absolutely shocked" by the death.

He added: "As you can imagine, all of his friends and colleagues are extremely upset."

The President of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), Ken Jones said: "Mike has made an enormous contribution to policing in Manchester and nationally throughout his distinguished career.