TRAGEDY struck a March family after a man attending his naval officers sister s funeral was found dead just 18 hours later. Mark Ogden, 42, had returned to the town to mourn the loss of his sister, Lt Lynnette Smith, 39, whose coffin had been draped in na

TRAGEDY struck a March family after a man attending his naval officers sister's funeral was found dead just 18 hours later.

Mark Ogden, 42, had returned to the town to mourn the loss of his sister, Lt Lynnette Smith, 39, whose coffin had been draped in naval flags during her funeral at St Wendreda's.

Later in the day Mr Ogden, a naval steward, joined family members and former colleagues of his sister for a traditional 'wake' at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel.

Sometime during last Wednesday evening he got a lift to another sister's home, at Corn Mill, March, but died in his sleep.

Police were called to the scene but following a post mortem, a spokesman said his death was no longer being treated as suspicious.

"Two people who were questioned initially in connection with the incident, have not been charged," said a police spokesman.

It was a double tragedy for the family who had attended the funeral for Lt Smith, the daughter of the late Bill and Muriel Ogden.

A Royal Navy spokesman confirmed Lt Smith had been a long serving member of the forces, and was attached to the UK's National Defence Headquarters in Northwood, London.

However the spokesman was unable to give information about her death, and said a further statement might be issued once they had contacted her family.

Meanwhile at Wisbech on Wednesday the coroner, William Morris, opened and adjourned the inquest into the death of Mark Ogden, of William White Place, Gas Hill, Norwich.

The brief hearing heard that a post mortem had been conducted but the full results were not yet known.

Mr Ogden was identified by his brother-in-law, Derek Charles Smith, of Hawthorn End, Alconbury. He said he had known the deceased for four years.

He later told the Cambs Times: "It was purely coincidental and it is proving very, very difficult to come to terms with."

He said that Mark died of natural causes.