Police accused of lack of urgency and treating Wolverhampton road death with 'contempt'
Family and friends of a father who died after being found on a road in Wolverhampton have demanded answers and more urgency from police over his death.
Michael Bland, aged 49, was found on Old Hill in Tettenhall on April 28. With the family no closer to finding out what has happened his sister Katrina Duvall has called for more information from West Midlands Police, while a family friend has accused the force of a lack of urgency and treating his death with "contempt".
Police initially thought Mr Bland had fallen and banged his head and didn't investigate the circumstances until a few days later when the post-mortem examination revealed he may have been hit by a car.
Close friend Sue Osborne said she believes the delay in starting the investigation into the death may have been crucial in them missing evidence that was at the scene.
She said: "The post-mortem was delayed I suspect because of the bank holiday weekend and the police initially said Michael had been drinking and had fallen when dropped off by friends and hit his head.
"Because of the delay it was many days after Michael's death before the police began to investigate, appeal for information, or gather forensic evidence, time that will have been crucial in the investigation.
"Despite this, police still don't appear to have given any urgency to the case and have not kept his family informed.
"The distress caused to Michael's family and loved ones is immeasurable. To lose him in such circumstances is bad enough, but for his death to have been treated with such apparent contempt is a disgrace."
His sister Katrina Duvall said: "As well as helping to care for his daughter he was a loving son to his disabled father, a brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend.
“He worked hard to become successful so he could support not only his immediate family but everyone he knew. The family has been left destroyed by what has happened and that he is no longer with us.
"We just want answers if possible because the initial investigation was delayed and we are positive there was a car involved, not that he fell and hit his head."
West Midlands Police has been contacted for a response.