Top police officer who helped convict double murderer dies, aged 48

Det Supt Keith Wilson never recovered from complications arising from surgery for a long-term condition in 2012 and retired from the force on medical grounds last year.

In 2011, he led the investigation into the brutal murder of Katarina and Guiseppe Massaro, aged 77 and 80.

The couple were stabbed and battered with a hammer after disturbed Polish-born Ireneusz Bartnowski - whose sister lived next door to the victims - as he burgled their home in Woden Road, Heath Town on April 22 that year.

The vicious attacker, who was aged 22 and on a visit to this country when he committed murders was later jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 34 years.

Father of four Supt Wilson moved home to Devon to receive specialist care but his health declined again over Christmas and he died on Tuesday.

Assistant Chief Constable Carl Foulkes said: "Keith was a long-standing and high profile member of West Midlands Police, both living and working within the force area. He worked across a number of areas in his career including Coventry, Solihull and Birmingham.

"He held a variety of specialist roles during his career, including as a force negotiator, a disaster victim identification specialist and senior investigating officer. The role Keith will be best known for is as a detective; a role that he loved, and in which he never shied away from difficult and challenging roles.

"Keith was well known and respected for always having time for his colleagues, and despite his rank was known to be ready and willing to assist officers at the front line. He was a dedicated father to his four children, as well as a foster parent to two daughters, all of whom he loved dearly."

He is also survived by his mother, father, brother and sister.