THE death of a 22-year-old York man is being investigated by police, amid suspicions it was drug related.

The man, named locally as John Causer, of Middleton Road, Acomb, was taken to York Hospital from a property in Burdyke Avenue, Clifton, after police were called there following reports of concerns for his welfare.

North Yorkshire Police said he was pronounced dead at the hospital and officers were investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

A police spokesman said: “We can confirm that we are investigating the possibility that the death is drugs-related.”

An inquest is due to open tomorrow.

The property in Burdyke Avenue belongs to Ken Curran, who has spoken of his shock at the death and paid tribute to Mr Causer.

He said he had not been home when Mr Causer became unwell, but returned to the house as soon as he could.

Mr Curran said: “He was a lovely lad who had time to listen to the better things in life. My heart, in truth, goes out to his family. I am still in shock to know a young life is gone, although not wasted.”

He said Mr Causer had loved folk and blues music and had been talking about going to see The Levellers this summer.

A huge number of moving tributes have been posted on a Facebook site which has been set up under the title RIP John Causer. One said: “It always amazed me how you could walk in and lighten up everyone’s mood in seconds!

“A lot of us wish we could be more like you John, its so unfair that you’ve been taken away so early.

“You’re someone I feel lucky to have known and you’ll never be forgotten.”

A second tribute read: “John you were one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and I can’t believe you are gone. You are so missed already and I hope you’re somewhere nice.

“Rest in peace and hopefully we will meet again one day.”

Another read: “Hope your up there looking down on us all, and can see how much you were loved and respected.

“York’s not gonna be the same place without you there making everyone laugh and singing your 80s songs.”

A poem started: “You are my heart, you are my soul, u are the lad that made me whole!

You are the sun, you are the moon, I can’t believe you’ve gone so soon!”

A number of floral tributes have been left outside Mr Causer’s Acomb home.