A YORK man found dead in a block of flats in the city was strangled, police have revealed.

The cause of death was announced after a Home Office pathologist carried out a post-mortem examination following the discovery in an apartment in Cemetery Road, York, on Sunday evening.

Detectives have also identified the victim after ensuring that family members had been told the news.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "Police are now able to confirm the identity of the deceased as Carl Shaw, aged 26, of York.

"A post-mortem (examination) reveals the cause of his death to be strangulation. A 35-year-old York man remains in custody helping police with their inquiries."

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Javad Ali last night told the Evening Press that the man was arrested on Sunday in connection with the death.

He confirmed that Carl Shaw's death was still being treated as suspicious, but would not be drawn on whether the investigation had become a murder inquiry.

Police were called to a flat in Cemetery Road following reports of an assault at about 9pm on Sunday.

Officers sealed off the area around three apartments at the three-storey complex as a major police probe was launched with forensic experts searching for clues.

Two officers were still on guard outside the block of flats last night, drawing attention to the cordoned-off complex from passers-by.

Police remained at the scene today.

The York coroner has been informed about the death.

Updated: 10:21 Tuesday, October 26, 2004