A serving detective for West Midlands Police tragically died from severe thermal burn injuries in the back of a parked car in Birmingham, an inquest has found. The body of Detective Constable Tayyab Malik, 35, was discovered in a Volkswagen Polo on the driveway of his home on Yardley Wood Road in Billesley on February 24.
Inquest Findings
The Birmingham coroner determined that Det Con Malik had doused himself with a flammable liquid and ignited it in the Billesley Common area. He then returned home on foot, attempted unsuccessfully to enter his property, and subsequently got into his vehicle from the rear. A neighbour later found him unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination concluded that his death was caused by thermal burn injuries. The inquest revealed that Det Con Malik had experienced difficulties in his personal life since July 2025. A digital examination of his phone showed he had researched ways to end his life, and an unsent note indicated his intentions. He had previously struggled with his mental health but was not known to mental health services at the time of his death.
Coroner's Statement
Adam Hodson, the Area Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, summarized the findings: "On February 24, Tayyab was pronounced deceased by officers from West Midlands Police at 2:26pm after being discovered unresponsive by a neighbour in the rear of his car outside of his property. An investigation revealed that Tayyab had left his home at 1:21am on 24 February and travelled toward Billesley Common, entering via the pedestrian access opposite the junction of Bondfield Road. Whilst on the common, it appears he doused himself with a flammable liquid and ignited the same. At 2:09am, he was observed returning to the home address on foot where he spent several minutes attempting to gain entry through the front door before entering the rear of his vehicle parked on the driveway at 2:21am, where he died."
The coroner added: "Post-mortem investigations revealed he had died due to thermal burn injuries. Digital examination of his phone revealed he had researched ways to end his life, as well as an unsent note indicating his intentions. Tayyab had experienced difficulties in his personal life since July 2025 at which time he had sought assistance from a private counsellor. He had previously experienced difficulties at work, but these do not appear to have influenced or contributed to his actions on 24 February. Tayyab had struggled in the past with his mental health, but was not known to mental health services at the time of his death."
Family Tribute
In a statement issued via West Midlands Police, his family said: "We are heartbroken by the loss of Tayyab Malik, a dedicated serving police officer and a beloved son, husband, brother, friend and nephew. There are no words to describe the depth of our loss. He will be missed more than words can express and will always remain in our hearts. May he rest in peace."
