Man in 'webcam suicide'

Mr Whitrick was discovered at an address in Orleton Court, at the junction of Orleton Lane and Hollies Road in Wellington, after shocked web users phoned police as he started to self harm in front of his webcam on Wednesday night.

Internet users, who were chatting to Mr Whitrick, watched in horror as the drama unfolded.

This afternoon Mr Whitrick's family paid tribute to him through a family statement.

It said: "Kevin was a loving father and family man. He was always the life and soul of the party and an extremely considerate and kind person and loved by many. He will be so sadly missed by us all.

"Unfortunately Kevin had a serious car accident in 2006 and he never fully recovered back to full health."

Police in Telford were alerted to the incident by officers at West Midlands Police and, despite attempts to resuscitate Mr Whitrick, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Groves, who is leading the investigation, said: "Our inquiries to date have revealed Mr Whitrick was using a chatroom with a number of other people at the time of his death.

"We are liaising with the internet service provider at this time to contact other users who were online at the time of this incident and who may have information that could assist our inquiries.

"We are continuing to treat this death as unexplained and I would ask anyone who believes they may have information that could help our investigation to contact police in Telford on 08457 444888.

"We are also working to ensure witness support facilities are available to those who may have been affected by what they saw."

A post mortem was due to be carried out today to establish Mr Whitrick's cause of death.

Michael Gwynne, Telford & Wrekin coroner, has been informed and an inquest is expected to be opened next week.

Claire Rowland, West Mercia Police spokeswoman, said: "Our family liaison officers have been speaking to the family and they are very distressed. An officer is with them at the moment."

His brother Malcolm is an associate director at Shrewsbury Town Football Club.

John Howarth, Shrewsbury Town secretary, said the club was sorry to hear of the events and passed on their condolences to the family.

Neighbours of Mr Whitrick and his estranged wife Paula spoke of their shock.

Keith Hughes, 65, said he had lived opposite Mr Whitrick, his wife and their two children, since the family moved to Rea Drive, in Dothill, about 14 years ago.

Mr Hughes said: "Kevin was a nice man, he did work for me at the house because he was an electrician by trade. He used to come and see his children, he loved them, it's a big shock."

Mrs Whitrick's next door neighbour, who declined to be named, said the couple had separated two to three years ago,.

A man at the Rea Drive property, which was being guarded by police today, said Mrs Whitrick was unavailable to comment on the tragedy.

Another neighbour, Linda Fenton, 39, said: "It's tragic, I can't believe it. It's a terrible shame."

Mrs Fenton said she saw police cars on Wednesday night at about 11.40pm.

"At first I thought there had been a murder but this is just as bad," she said. "I have lived here all my life and nothing like this has ever happened before."

A member of staff from Atwal Jubilee Stores, which is opposite the flat where Mr Whitrick was found, said: "I'm shocked. He was a really nice guy. He would always chat to me and was a bit of a comedian. He was a really nice guy, I'm just so shocked."

Another neighbour said: "He was a quiet guy, he kept himself to himself."

The flat where Mr Whitrick's body was found is part of a two-storey property made up of four flats.

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By Kirsty Marston, Deborah Collins and Andy Walker