Robert Alton, a retired bookkeeper, was found dead in his flat in Bolton, Greater Manchester, six years after his death. Housing officials forced entry into the flat after obtaining a court order to perform a gas test. Alton's skeletal remains were discovered at the top of the stairs in his first-floor flat, and he was identified through personal items.

Police found a television guide with May 4, 2017, open on one of the pages, and paperwork with a 2017 expiry date. There were no suspicious circumstances and no cause of death was determined. The landlord of the property, Bolton at Home, admitted they missed opportunities in finding out why they couldn't contact Alton and now apply for access warrants immediately when they cannot contact tenants about a gas test.