Neighbouring police force takes over case of M54 body
An investigation into the death of a man whose skeletal remains were found near the M54 in Shropshire has been taken over by West Midlands Police.
The death of Surjit Takhar, who was 37 when he disappeared in 2008, was being investigated by West Mercia Police, but has now been handed over to the neighbouring force.
West Mercia Police had said it was keeping an open mind as to the circumstances of Mr Takhar's death.
The investigation was launched when maintenance workers discovered a skull on an embankment close to Junction Four of the motorway near Shifnal on August 20 last year.
Other skeletal remains were discovered after further searches were carried out.
Tests revealed the skull belonged to Mr Takhar, who had been reported missing from his flat in Warley, West Bromwich, on September 29, 2008.
West Midlands Police had carried out a detailed investigation into Mr Takhar's disappearance but he was never found, despite appeals nationally.
An inquest due to take place in February was postponed without a date being set for the next hearing.
Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin Coroner, John Ellery said the cause of death had not been revealed from a post mortem carried out on the remains.
