Murder of a high-flier

A murder hunt was under way today after a former senior officer at Telford & Wrekin Council was found stabbed to death in his home.The body of Michael Davis-Bingham, 43, was discovered at his home in Wolverhampton on Thursday morning. He worked as the council's head of economic development until 2005 and was a high-flying and respected business expert with a global track record.

Mr Davis-Bingham was born in the Caribbean but educated in Canada. He lived in Telford until June this year at a recently-built block of flats in Finchale Avenue, Priorslee.

He was found dead at his current home in Bowen Street, Parkfields, Wolverhampton, on Thursday morning having suffered a single stab wound. He was last seen in Erdington, Birmingham, at 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Police are now trying to trace his last steps and looking into his business past in Canada and America.

Detective Superintendent Una Cooke said no motive was yet known.

She said: "We would like anyone who saw Mr Davis-Bingham from 7.30pm on Wednesday to come forward.

"Michael was a well-known and respected businessman who worked as a property consultant, we would also like to speak to his business contacts."

Nigel Newman, spokesman for the council, said today: "Our sympathies are with Michael's family at this time.

"Michael was head of economic development with Telford & Wrekin Council from 2003. In 2005 he moved to progress his career in economic development work elsewhere."

A former neighbour of Mr Davis-Bingham in Telford, who did not want to be named, said today: "I just used to pass him and say hello. He was very friendly."

Daniel Aldred, who was his postman, said: "He seemed quite a pleasant bloke. He was quite polite when I walked past. He drove a BMW."

Anyone with information can call Bloxwich police station on 0845 1135000.