A murder inquiry was launched today after the body of an 81-year-old man was discovered at a house in Brierley Hill.

The pensioner, who has not been named, was found at a property in Mill Street yesterday evening at about 6pm.

Three people – two men and a woman – have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are today helping police with their inquiries.

Read the full story in the Express & Star. 

A murder inquiry was launched today after the body of an 81-year-old man was discovered at a house in Brierley Hill.

The pensioner, who has not been named, was found at a property in Mill Street yesterday evening at about 6pm.

Three people – two men and a woman – have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are today helping police with their inquiries.

The man was confirmed dead at the scene after police and ambulance crews were called to the property.

Forensic officers sealed off the house and a private drive at the back of the property. They also set up floodlights to enable them to work through the night while they combed the area for clues.

The private drive, which has has two entrances and gives access to garages and gardens, was cordoned off with officers posted at each end to keep people away while the investigation is carried out.

Police were still combing the scene this morning while parents looked on as they arrived to drop their children off at nearby Brierley Hill Primary School.

West Midlands Police spokesman Steve Garey confirmed police were treating the death as a murder inquiry.

“We are currently investigating the circumstances behind the man’s death and three people are helping us with our enquiries,” he said. 

“A post mortem will be carried out later today to try and establish how the man died.”

Mr Garey said the pensioner had not been killed during a bungled burglary attempt. One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said the news had come as a shock.

“It’s the not the sort of thing you expect to happen near your house,” she said.

“An ambulance came at about 6pm and I saw police shining their torches round the back at about 7pm last night. 

“And they’ve been there all night hunting for clues, it seems. 

“The police have stayed very tight-lipped and won’t tell us anything, other that there has been an ‘incident’.

“How and why the man was there we don’t know. 

“We don’t know if he just dropped dead, was murdered, or what.”