A suspected murder victim was found by police officers with a “knife between his shoulder blades”, an inquest has heard. The investigation into the death of Alan Tomkins, who was found in his flat in Gun Lane, Strood, last Friday (July 26) was opened today (August 2). Area coroner Katrina Hepburn heard a “concerned friend” of the 61-year-old called the police in the evening of July 25 as they had not heard from him and he had not been at work. They were also supposed to have met with Mr Tomkins the day before but he had not shown, the court heard. Reading the opening statement, Ms Hepburn said…