Mystery surrounds the death of a well-known karate teacher and superhero lookalike found dead at his home.

Jim Lockless, 50, who was a karate instructor in Sutton for nearly 30 years, was discovered dead in an armchair at his home in Devonshire Road, Carshalton, on Saturday, February 11.

Police had to knock down the door after friends and relatives became concerned for the 50-year-old’s welfare, after he had not been seen for several days.

His brother said his family was at a loss as to how Mr Lockless, who was fit and healthy, had died.

Police are treating the death as non-suspicious.

A postmortem examination has taken place but the results are yet to be published.

An inquest into his death will be held in due course.

Mr Lockless ran Sutton Martial Arts Centre at Sutton Grammar School.

He began teaching karate after launching the centre, originally based opposite B&Q in Carshalton Road, with his dad, Syd, in the 1980s.

The sixth dan black belt had also worked as a lookalike of Marvel Comics superhero Wolverine.

Tragically for the family, Syd died on Friday, aged 78, of a suspected heart attack.

In its heyday up to 500 children and adults would learn at the centre each week.

Mr Lockless, full name James Logan Lockless, was also well-known as a door man in Sutton who had worked at Chicago’s and Revolutions nightclubs.

His brother, Dave Lockless, said: “He was very friendly and always looked for the good in everyone.

“He was an easy-to-get-on-with character."

He said his family had been devastated by the double tragedy of losing his brother and his dad within days of each other.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called at 3.30pm on Saturday, February 11, following reports of a missing person.

“Officers attended an address at Devonshire Road, Carshalton, and found the body of a man.

“London Ambulance Service was called and the male was pronounced dead at the scene.”