Police are appealing for your help to identify this man who officers want to speak to as police investigation into the murder of Darren Round continues.
Detectives hope the man in the CCTV clip released today (Tuesday 23 March) can help us establish exactly what happened the night Darren died just over a year ago.
A murder investigation was launched after the body of the 48-year-old was pulled from the canal near Masshouse Lane, Kings Norton, at 8.40 am on Saturday 15 February last year.
A post mortem examination revealed he had suffered significant facial injuries, consistent with an assault before he entered the water.
https://youtu.be/8Hf8DwQepm0
Darren was last seen walking along the canal near Wharf Road Bridge, in the direction of Shannon Tunnel at about 12.40 am on the morning his body was found.
He’d earlier left the home he shared with his mum Sheila in Kings Norton at 7.30 pm on Friday 14 February, wearing a blue coat and a rucksack.
His mother Sheila, said: “He said ’Ta’ra mum, I’ll see you later. And that was it.”
She added: “There’s nothing worse than losing your only child. I don’t want to die not knowing what happened that night.
“That’s all I’m praying for really – justice for Darren.”
Detectives have pieced together his movements and know he withdrew money from a cash machine at the Post Office at Kings Norton Green and bought some alcohol from an off-license before making the near five-mile walk into the city centre along the canal towpaths.
Superintendent Scott Griffiths, who is leading the investigation, said: “None of Darren’s possessions were taken and we can find no motive for anyone to have subjected him to such a brutal beating but we remain determined to establish exactly what happened.
“We have conducted extensive work on CCTV and there’s a man we’d like to speak to who we’ve so far been unable to identify as he may have information critical to our investigation.
“We really want to know what happened to Darren in the moments leading up to his death – we want to be able to give Darren’s mum and his family and friends the answers they want and need.”
The man is described as 5’6″ tall and carrying a man-bag across his body, wearing distinctive trainers with small reflective panels and what is likely to be a light-coloured tracksuit.
Crimestoppers have put up a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
So, if you know who he is or if you were in the area around Wharf Road between midnight and 2am and we’ve not yet spoken to you, please do get in touch