Police launch murder probe after the body of a 48-year-old man is pulled from a canal


Police launch murder probe after the body of a 48-year-old man is pulled from a canal in Birmingham with significant facial injuries as CCTV is released of his final hours

  • Darren Round was found in Kings Norton canal by passerby who called the police
  • Mr Round had significant facial injuries which suggested he had been assaulted
  • CCTV images released show Mr Round wearing blue coat and carrying rucksack

Police have launched a murder probe after the body of a 48-year-old man was pulled from a Birmingham canal as CCTV of his final hours is released. 

Darren Round was found dead in Kings Norton canal by a passerby who called the police shortly after 8.40am on Saturday.

Police today launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem found Mr Round – who lived locally – had significant facial injuries, suggesting he had been assaulted before entering the water.

Darren Round was found dead in Kings Norton canal by a passerby who called the police shortly after 8.40am on Saturday

Darren Round was found dead in Kings Norton canal by a passerby who called the police shortly after 8.40am on Saturday

Police today launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem found Mr Round - who lived locally - had significant facial injuries, suggesting he had been assaulted before entering the water. Pictured: CCTV images of Mr Round

Police today launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem found Mr Round - who lived locally - had significant facial injuries, suggesting he had been assaulted before entering the water. Pictured: CCTV images of Mr Round

In CCTV images released by West Midlands police, Mr Round can be seen wearing a blue coat and carrying a rucksack

In CCTV images released by West Midlands police, Mr Round can be seen wearing a blue coat and carrying a rucksack

Police today launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem found Mr Round – who lived locally – had significant facial injuries, suggesting he had been assaulted before entering the water. In CCTV images released by West Midlands police, Mr Round can be seen wearing a blue coat and carrying a rucksack

In CCTV images released by West Midlands police, Mr Round can be seen wearing a blue coat and carrying a rucksack.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the Masshouse Lane and Shannon Road area of Kings Norton – or walking on the canal towpath – from 7.30pm on Friday night and 8.40am the following morning to get in touch.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Griffiths, said: ‘Darren was wearing a blue coat and a rucksack. 

Police today launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem found Mr Round had significant facial injuries, suggesting he had been assaulted before entering the water. Pictured: Police at the scene

Police today launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem found Mr Round had significant facial injuries, suggesting he had been assaulted before entering the water. Pictured: Police at the scene

Police today launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem found Mr Round had significant facial injuries, suggesting he had been assaulted before entering the water. Pictured: Police at the scene 

Detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the Masshouse Lane and Shannon Road area of Kings Norton - or walking on the canal towpath - from 7.30pm on Friday night and 8.40am the following morning to get in touch. Pictured: Police at the scene by the canal

Detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the Masshouse Lane and Shannon Road area of Kings Norton - or walking on the canal towpath - from 7.30pm on Friday night and 8.40am the following morning to get in touch. Pictured: Police at the scene by the canal

Detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the Masshouse Lane and Shannon Road area of Kings Norton – or walking on the canal towpath – from 7.30pm on Friday night and 8.40am the following morning to get in touch. Pictured: Police at the scene by the canal

Mr Round lived near to Kings Norton canal. Pictured: Two police officers at the scene

Mr Round lived near to Kings Norton canal. Pictured: Two police officers at the scene

Mr Round lived near to Kings Norton canal. Pictured: Two police officers at the scene

‘If anyone saw him or anyone else on the towpath on Friday night into Saturday morning I need them to get in touch.

‘We need to understand Darren’s movements from 7.30pm when he left home to when his body was tragically found in the canal.

‘If you were in the area and saw anything suspicious please make contact.’