Police are urgently appealing for witnesses after the body of a man was discovered on the grounds of a secondary school in Wolverhampton.
Discovery at Smestow Academy
Emergency services were called to Smestow Academy on Windmill Crescent in the Castlecroft area at around 10.40am on Monday, January 19. Despite the rapid response of ambulance and police crews, a 45-year-old man found with injuries was pronounced dead at the scene.
West Midlands Ambulance Service initially described the incident as a medical emergency. The school was closed as a precaution while officers began their investigation.
Piecing Together the Final Hours
In an updated statement, West Midlands Police confirmed they have identified the man and that specialist officers are supporting his family. Detectives have now established a timeline of his last known movements.
The man was first seen on Wheatsheaf Road, Wolverhampton, at approximately 1am. This location is roughly three-and-a-half miles from the school. He was then sighted within the grounds of Smestow Academy itself at 7.15am.
Police have released a description of his clothing in the hope it will jog memories. He was last seen wearing a distinctive camouflage jacket, a grey gilet, jeans, and a beanie hat. He was also carrying a red rucksack and may have been wearing sunglasses.
Appeal for Information
The death is currently being treated as unexplained. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Poole of the Homicide Unit urged the public not to speculate and emphasised that the investigation is in its early stages.
"We know this has caused concern in the community and there will be extra officers in the area for reassurance," DCI Poole stated. "Anyone who may have seen the victim in the early hours of this morning is urged to get in touch with us."
Officers are reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw the man or has any information about his movements between 1am and 7.15am on Monday.
Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands Police by calling 101 or using the Live Chat service, quoting log reference 1452 of 19 January.
