Detectives investigating the murder of Kings Norton man Darren Round in February last year have released new CCTV footage of a man they would like to speak to.
It is hoped the man — seen on several CCTV cameras in the area around the time Darren disappeared — may have information that will help them establish exactly what happened the night he died.
A murder investigation was launched after the body of the 48-year-old was pulled from the canal near Masshouse Lane, Kings Norton, at 8.40am 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.
Watch: Crimewatch footage
Darren was last seen walking along the canal near Wharf Road Bridge, in the direction of Shannon Tunnel at about 12.40am on the morning his body was found.
‘Justice for Darren’
He’d earlier left the home he shared with his mum Sheila in Kings Norton at 7.30pm 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 that 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 licence before making the near five-mile walk into the city centre along the canal towpaths.
‘Brutal beating’
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.”
Description
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.
Reward
Crimestoppers have put up a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Darren’s death.
Information
Anyone who recognises the man in the images or who was in the area around Wharf Road between midnight and 2am on Friday 15th February 2020 and has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact the force by live chat at west-midlands.police.uk, 8am to midnight, or call 101 at anytime.
Alternatively to remain 100% anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.