Appeal to trace person who recovered bike from Wolverhampton canal after man found dead at Smestow school
Neil Thompson, also known as Chuck, would have turned 46 today
An appeal has been launched to trace the person who recovered a bike from a canal in Wolverhampton that was linked to a man who was found dead at a city school.
The family of Neil Thompson, who was known to his loved ones as Chuck, launched the appeal today (September 17) on what would have been his 46th birthday after he was pronounced dead on the grounds of Smestow Academy in Windmill Crescent on January 19.
It is believed he was injured after he came off his e-bike as he rode along the Smestow Canal path in the early hours of that morning.
A coroner concluded that Mr Thompson died from head and facial injuries of an unknown cause after an extensive investigation by West Midlands Police, which included searches of the area. His bike was later found left by a bridge near the canal.
Following his death, the family described him as a “beautiful son, brother, father, and friend” who was “very much loved in the community of fishing, his one true love”.
The moving tribute added: “His love for life and funny stories touched the lives of so many people.”
Now, Neil’s loved ones are calling for the person who pulled his bike from the canal to come forward as they wish to know where it was found, in order to have a spot to grieve him.
Detective Sergeant Amie Petford, from West Midlands Police CID, said: "His family are now asking that the person who got the bike out of the water to get in touch so that they can have a place where they can go to grieve.
"The bike was rusty and appeared that someone had pulled it out of the canal and left it by a bridge at a lock so it is likely it would have been near there, but his family are hoping to know exactly where so they can lay flowers."
A spokesperson for the force added: “We appreciate the efforts of the person who pulled the bike from the water which led us to be able to locate it, and the family just now want to know where that place was.
“If you were that person, please contact us on 101, or message us via Live Chat on our website, quoting crime reference log 1452 of 19 January.”