Man's badly burned body found in Birmingham park

Apr 3 2008 By Mark Cowan

THE body of a man found on parkland in Birmingham had suffered severe burns, it was revealed today.

Passers-by made the grim discovery as they were out walking their dog on land next to Hilltop Golf Course, off Park Lane, Handsworth, at 7am yesterday.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives at Thornhill Road CID are treating the man's death as "unexplained" pending the results of a post mortem examination due to take place this afternoon.

Officers returned to the scene this morning to try to find any witnesses.

Det Insp Bob Bradford said: "The body was found in the field and had suffered severe burns.

"We haven't determined the cause of death and will have to wait for the results of the post-mortem which will be held later today."

Police believe they have identified the man, said to be in his early 20s, but he has not been named.

Det Insp Bradford said the field was popular with dog walkers and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Police can be contacted on 0845 113 5000 or call the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.