'He was a brilliant guy' Tributes to father as police given more time to quiz murder suspects

Baljit Singh was discovered at the property in Beeches Road, Rowley Regis on New Year's Day.

A man and a woman, who were arrested in Kingswinford, continue to be questioned over the 50-year-old's murder.

Mr Singh from Harborne was last seen on December 23 when he left his home to collect a birthday cake for his son.

However, he failed to arrive and the alarm was raised later that day.

The 32-year-old man and 27-year-old woman were arrested on New Year's Eve, initially on suspicion of stealing the 50-year-old's Range Rover

Detectives have now been granted an extra 36 hours to question them both.

The terraced house in Beeches Road, which is near Highfield Primary School, has been cordoned off by officers.

Bera Mahli, owner of the Red Cow pub, said he spoke to Mr Singh, who he knew for 30 years, a few days before he went missing.

He said Mr Singh was one of the founders of Smethwick-based Mahal Warriors Football Club in 1979.

Although he did not play for the club, Mr Mahli said he socialised with the team members at his pub.

Mr Mahli said: "He came to the pub many times, I knew him well and a few days before he went missing I spoke to him.

"He was drinking with another lad. Later my brother said he saw him with other lads before quite a few of them got together.

"They had some food and that's the last I knew of him.

"I'd put up things on my Facebook to try and find him. I was concerned he was missing and was dreading the worst, but this is terrible," he said.

He added: "He was a brilliant guy, always had time for everybody, I know he will be missed by people here." Mr Mahli said he would now be going through CCTV of the afternoon.

Neighbours to the house in Rowley Regis say police had been questioning them over Mr Singh's disappearance.

Officers were asking residents if they had CCTV cameras.

Police have made an appeal for information to anyone who was in Smethwick High Street at the time of Mr Singh's disappearance.

Detective Inspector Warren Hines said he believed Mr Singh disappeared from the area between 1pm and 4pm on December 23. He said: "I'd really like to speak to anyone who was in Smethwick High Street around that time on December 23 and may have seen Mr Singh or his vehicle.

"Any information they can provide could help progress the investigation.

"Did anyone see him or talk to him in the Red Cow pub? Did anyone see him with other people?"

Mr Singh was a short man, around 5ft 3ins tall with black hair. He was wearing a pink shirt with white stripes at the time of his disappearance.

Mr Singh's Range Rover is grey in colour and has a '58' registration plate.

He left his home in Meadow Road to collect a cake from a shop in Smethwick. But he failed to collect the treat and last spoke to his wife at around 2.30pm.

Two other people were arrested – a 28-year-old man and 23-year-old woman from Kingswinford – and they remain under suspicion of car theft.

They have both been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively, people can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.