THE sudden death of a prolific shoplifter has been described as "unexplained" by police.
Glenn Victory, 31, who had more than 40 convictions and was banned from Chelmsford city centre after a spate of purse thefts, died on July 3 after spending the evening at a friend's home in Gardeners, Chelmsford.
He was rushed to Broomfield Hospital just after 6pm but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
A 19-year-old man, from Romford, had been arrested the following morning and questioned regarding the circumstances leading up to the death but was later released without charge.
A police spokesman said: "The death is not suspicious but does remain unexplained following the initial post-mortem.
"Further toxicology tests are now required to help clarify the cause of death."
Girlfriend Donna Llewellyn, who lives in Romford, said: "The police said there was no third party involved and no drugs found as yet, so I don't understand how a fit and healthy 31-year-old passes away."
Stacie Friend, whose address is where Victory had been taken ill, declined to comment when approached by the Chronicle.
Sister Karen Victory is currently serving a nine-year jail term at Holloway Prison for the violent abuse of a toddler who was in her care.
