A formal investigation has established the identity of a male whose remains were found in a waterway in an Oxfordshire town.

Emergency responders attended the location along the canal adjacent to Spiceball Park in Banbury on March 14.

Thames Valley Police indicated that a male’s remains were recovered following reports of an unexpected death. Officials verified the remains were discovered in the canal.

Detectives noted the matter is not treated as suspicious.

A Thames Valley Police representative had earlier indicated that authorities received notification at around 12:30pm on March 14 concerning an occurrence at the canal by Spiceball Park, following reports of a sudden death. Emergency services attended, though the male was pronounced deceased at the location. The death has been classified as unexplained rather than suspicious, and documentation will be submitted to the coroner’s office.

The deceased has been named as Yurii Popov, 33 years old, a resident of Banbury.

Area coroner Nicholas Graham conducted the inquest hearing on April 2, during which it was stated that Mr Popov was located without vital signs in the Oxford Canal near Hennef Way.

Court records show Mr Popov was originally from Ukraine.

Medical teams carried out resuscitation attempts, though his death was verified at the location. A post mortem examination took place, with the official cause of death pending toxicology findings.

The case has been delayed, with a complete inquest set for July 2 at 2pm at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court.