A murder inquiry was launched today as detectives released the first picture of victim Paul Hadley.

The father-of-three was found dead in the graveyard at St John the Baptist Church in Halesowen town centre. The picture shows a smiling Mr Hadley, a 40-year-old care worker.

It today emerged that his body was found just yards from his home in Islington on Wednesday as residents at a block of flats behind the Queensway churchyard said he was their neighbour.

A post mortem revealed Mr Hadley died from a head injury but officers are unable to confirm whether a weapon was used. The inquiry was confirmed as a murder probe as a result of the post mortem result.

Speculation has been rife that Mr Hadley may have been the victim of a robbery but detectives are refusing to comment on a motive.

Leading the manhunt is Detective Inspector Will O’ Connor who said: “We are aware that there are rumours circulating locally about the motive for Mr Hadley’s murder but at this stage we are keeping an open mind and not speculating.”

The churchyard was cordoned off following the grim discovery by a woman using the shortcut through the grounds around 7.30am.

It remains sealed off and the gates are being guarded.