Murder ruled out in Cairns gardens body

A father of three whose body was found near the Cairns botanic gardens, where it had lain for two days, is no longer believed to have been murdered, police say.

The 56-year-old was discovered dead behind a large disused tank at Edge Hill late on Tuesday afternoon.

He had been missing since 6pm on New Year's Day and police initially suspected he may have been murdered.

Officers are preparing a report for the coroner.