A murder investigation is underway after a man whose body was found in a canal in Birmingham was beaten beforehand.
The body of Darren Round was discovered in Kings Norton on Saturday morning hours after he was last seen when he left his home in the area on Friday evening.
A post mortem examination today revealed the 48-year-old had suffered facial injuries "consistent with an assault" before he entered the canal.
Police are now foucsing their enquiries on a key 13 hour window.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Griffiths, who is leading the murder hunt, wants to hear from anyone who was in Kings Norton – or walking on the canal towpath - on Friday from 7.30pm until the body was discovered at 8.40am on Saturday.
He said: "Darren was wearing a blue coat and a rucksack. 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.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
