Sean Hoare, a former reporter at News of the World who blew whistle about the newspaper's phone-hacking scandal, was found dead at home on Monday, according to Guardian reports.

Former News of the World journalist Sean Hoare is seen in this undated handout picture released on July 18, 2011. One of the sources for early newspaper stories on the News of the World phone-hacking scandal was Hoare. British media said he was found dead at his home on Monday, but police did not believe the death was suspicious. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Hoare, 47, worked as a showbiz reporter for News of the World, said in interviews with the New York Times and BBC in last September that his editor, Andy Coulson, asked him to intercept mobilephone voice mails.


Hoare was fired for drink and drugs problems, and Andy Coulson later served as a top aide to U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and resigned in January amid the escalating phone-hacking scandal.


Police arrested Coulson on suspicion of phone hacking earlier this month and he was released without charge.


The investigation is under way and the police are treating the death of the man as unexplained not suspicious, according to Reuters.


His death is the latest dramatic turn in News Corp's phone-hacking scandal, during which the 168-year old News of the World was closed. (Agencies)


VietNamNet/Xinhuanet