Police Release Picture Of Man Found In Birmingham Canal

28 May 2014, 19:25 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police investigating the murder of a man found in a Birmingham canal have released a picture of him and urged people to come forward with information.

Michael Spalding’s body was recovered from the canal off Icknield Port Road in Ladywood on 12 May and officers launched a major investigation.

Two people have been charged with Mr Spalding’s murder.

Detectives are particularly appealing for anyone who may have seen or know of any suspicious activity around Pope Bridge in Bridge Street North – that includes anyone throwing items into the water or any suspicious cars in the area since the beginning of April until the body was found on 12 May.

Mr Spalding, known to family and friends as ‘Spud’, was a painter and decorator and detectives are keen to trace anyone who Spud may have done odd jobs for during April and early May.

Lorenzo Joshua Simon aged 33, unemployed from Oxford Road, Smethwick and Michelle Bird, aged 34, unemployed from the same address, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court last Thursday (22 May) charged with murder.

Detective Inspector Harry Harrison, who is leading the investigation, said: "Enquiries are on-going and I am still keen to hear from anyone who had contact with Mr Spalding any time during the last month.
 
"If there is anyone who knows anything about what happened and has not yet spoken to police, I would urge them to contact us as soon as possible."