Birmingham Canal Body: Two Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder

19 May 2014, 13:41 | Updated: 19 May 2014, 14:04

Police have identified a body found in a Birmingham canal and arrested two people on suspicion of murder.

The man, aged 33, and woman, aged 34, were arrested from an address on Oxford Road in Smethwick at around 5am this morning and have been taken to police stations in the West Midlands.

Detectives have cordoned off the property as part of the ongoing investigation which was launched last Monday (12 May).

Officers were called to Icknield Port Road in the Ladywood area of the city at around 4pm when the remains were recovered from the water by men who were working on the canal.

A forensic examination has since taken place and the victim has been formally identified as 39-year-old local man Michael Spalding, known to friends and family as ‘Spud’.

Detective Inspector Harry Harrison said: “We are still in the early days of what is a very complex investigation and I would like to re-appeal for witnesses to come forward.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who had contact with Mr Spalding at any time during the last month.

“If there is anyone who knows anything about what happened and has not yet spoken to police, I would urge them to make contact with us as soon as possible.

“This is being treated as a murder investigation and we are working around the clock to fully understand the circumstances of Mr Spalding’s death.