Wolverhampton murder victim may have been robbed on his way home
A murder victim found dead in his flat may have been robbed on his way home, an inquest has heard.
Stephen Phillips was discovered at the property on Dudley Road, Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, on March 12 prompting police to launch a murder investigation.
An inquest into the 54-year-old's death was opened at Smethwick Coroner's Court.
It emerged that his death was initially treated as non-suspicious but a second post mortem found that Mr Phillips died as a result of a head injury.
Detective Sergeant Scott Shaw said: "Police were called by colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service and we attended the address. It was initially not thought to be suspicious. A first post mortem on March 18 found injuries that couldn't be explained. A second examination was a forensic post mortem on March 19." The second examination found impact injuries and the cause of death was established as head injury.
Det Sgt Shaw added: "He was last seen the previous evening of his death on March 11. He was described by his family as an alcoholic. There is the possibility that Mr Phillips was robbed, returned home and died from his injuries."
Two men aged 22 and 56 were arrested and released on bail. An 18-year-old woman was arrested for suspicion of assisting an offender.
She was also bailed but no-one has been charged for the murder.
The detective said further interviews of suspects were to take place.
Coroner Zafar Siddique formally adjourned the inquest until February 15.
He said: "I want to give sufficient time for the criminal investigation to continue."
