Family heartache over a 'typical teen'

Oct 4 2007 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

THE heartbroken family of a teenager who drowned in a Black Country pool have spoken for the first time about their "polite and affectionate" son.

In a statement issued through police, the family of 16-year-old Shane Owoo described him as a "typical teenage boy" who loved his music, Harry Potter books and fishing.

The family said Shane had his whole life ahead of him and had started making plans to join the Army.

"Shane had his life cut cruelly short. Words cannot express how deeply he is missed by his whole family," said the statement.

"His mother has lost her only son, her daughters have lost their brother.

"It is especially hard for his youngest sister, who cannot understand why she cannot see Shane.

"How do we explain to a five-year-old girl that she will never see her brother again ?"

The family also made an appeal for information about the death of Shane, whose body was recovered from the water-filled claypit off Bickley Road, The Lunt estate, on Sunday, the day after the alarm was raised.

Two men appeared before Wolverhampton Magistrates yesterday accused of the manslaughter of Shane, of Addison Place, The Lunt.

Tobias Davies, 20, of Frost Street, Ettingshall, Wolverhampton, and Christopher Lewis, 22, whose address for legal reasons was given simply as East Wolverhampton, had their case fast tracked to Wolverhampton Crown Court, where they are due to appear on January 2.

Police have also named the third man they want to question in connection with Shane's death.

They named him as 21-year-old Marvin James Anthony Walker, also known as Shotty. He is believed to be in the Wolverhampton area.

Anyone with information is urged to call Wednesfield police on 0845 1135000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.