Murder investigation launched after body found in Wolverhampton

The man was found in Treynham Close, Stowlawn, late on Saturday night.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. Forensic investigators were at the scene today and removed a number of items for examination.

Someone went to the man's aid and police said they were keen to trace him as they were yet to speak to him.

Residents spoke of their shock and disbelief at the man's death.

There was a large police presence in the street this morning with part of Treynham Close and several nearby houses cordoned off.

A large blue tent had been erected outside one of the houses, near a walkway which leads to Uplands Grove.

Forensic investigators arrived at around 11am to survey the scene.

Police have not yet revealed how the man died but are treating his death as murder.

They said they had received a 'great response' from the local community but urged anyone with information to get in touch, particularly the man who had tried to help the victim.

He left the scene before officers had an opportunity to speak to him.

Detective Inspector Warren Hines of West Midlands Police said: "Our inquiry is still in its very early stages and while we are unable to say at this time how the man died, I can confirm that we are treating the death as murder.

"Officers remain at the scene today, which has been cordoned off, and will continue carrying out inquiries in the area to help us establish how the man came to be fatally injured.

"We have already had a great response to our initial inquiries from the local community, but we are keen to hear from anyone who we may not yet have spoken to and who has any information about what happened.

"In particular, we would like to speak to a man who went to the aid of the victim but who unfortunately left the area before officers could speak to him.

"He could have been the last person to see the man alive and we need to speak to him as a matter of urgency."

Officers originally responded to reports of a man lying injured in the street.

They confirmed the murder early on Sunday afternoon but at the time of going to press no arrests had been made in connection with the man's death.

Nearby residents spoke of their shock at the murder.

Many had been disturbed on Saturday night by a plethora of sirens and blue lights as police and paramedics descended on the scene at around 9.30pm.

A police helicopter also circled the skies above.

Some people gathered in Treynham Close on Sunday morning as the community came to terms with the death.

Treynham Close resident David Smith, aged 57, said the area was generally a quiet one.

"It's shocking that this has happened right on our doorstep," he said.

"It was a chaotic scene - there were police everywhere and men in white suits. It looked like something from outer space.

"The road was just packed.

"We don't see anything like this in this area, people keep themselves to themselves."

Residents living close to the murder scene awoke on Sunday morning to find police tape cordoning off their front doors.

Officers had to escort people to and from their homes while extensive inquiries were carried out.

Fellow Treynham Close resident Michael Garner added of Saturday night's scene: "It was chaos.

"Nobody knows for sure what happened but it sounds like a young lad was involved.

"There were loads of police cars in the street.

"It's surprising because it's normally a quiet neighbourhood, you get the odd group of kids messing around but nothing too serious."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.