Murder hunt on river body
A murder investigation has been launched after the death of a 62-year-old man whose body was found in the River Severn.A murder investigation has been launched after the death of a 62-year-old Stourport man whose body was found in the River Severn. West Mercia Police confirmed today that they were treating the death of Reginald Southall as murder. His body was found in the River Severn on December 16. Mr Southall, who lived in the Redstone Lane area of Stourport, was last seen at about 6.45pm on December 4, last year. His wife, who police have not named, had been out for a walk with Mr Southall and after she returned home Mr Southall continued walking alone. His wife subsequently reported him missing the following day. But as a result of "significant new information" police said today they were renewing appeals for sightings of Mr Southall before his disappearance on the evening of December 4, 2007. Read more in the Express & Star
A murder investigation was launched today following the death of a Black Country lorry driver who was found in the River Severn.
West Mercia Police confirmed today they were treating the death of Reginald Southall, who was 62, as murder. His body was found in the river at Stourport on December 16.
New evidence shows he had suffered multiple injuries before drowning. Mr Southall, who had lived in Pensnett until moving to Stourport, was last seen at about 6.45pm on December 4 last year.
Mr Southall, who worked for a Halesowen firm, had been out with his wife and continued walking alone after she returned home.
His wife reported him missing the following day. But as a result of "significant new information" police said today they were renewing appeals for sightings of Mr Southall before his disappearance.
His body was found by fishermen near the Angel Inn at Severnside, at a location known locally as Breakwater.
A post mortem has revealed the cause of death was drowning but that prior to entering the water Mr Southall had sustained multiple injuries to his head and body, consistent with him being assaulted.
A murder incident room has been set up at Stourport and a team of around 40 detectives and officers have been working on the case.
Police have been carrying out searches over the past few months and they intensified yesterday morning when around 40 officers began searching the riverbanks. Call the murder investigation team at Stourport on 08457 444 888 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with any information.