Murder inquiry after body found in hostel (From Asian Image)

Murder inquiry after body found in hostel

5:16pm Monday 6th February 2012 in United Kingdom news

Police have launched a murder investigation after a middle-aged man was found dead at a hostel.

West Midlands Police said Bakhitar Ahmad Kheder Mirawdali, 40, died from a wound to his neck.He was found by a member of staff at the property in Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, at around 3.35pm on Thursday.

A forensic post mortem was conducted over the weekend which determined that Mr Mirawdali died from a wound to his neck.

Experts believe that his body had lain undiscovered for two days.

Originally from Iraq, Mr Mirawdali had been granted political asylum and had been living in the UK for a number of years but was planning to return to his homeland in the coming weeks to marry his fiancee.

Detectives have appealed to local people and the Kurdish community to help them piece together the man’s final movements and identify his killer.

Detective Inspector Buck Rogers from Force CID, said: “We’re working hard to establish what happened in the hostel and identify who killed Mr Mirawdali.

”Initial inquires suggest that Mr Mirawdali died on Tuesday in a targeted attack and we are keen to speak with anyone who may have seen him in the days leading up to his death.

”Mr Mirawdali was a private man and kept himself to himself but had contacts in London, Leeds, Eastbourne and Burton-on-Trent.

”I would urge anyone who knew Bakhitar Mirawdali to contact us as a matter of urgency. We need to know more about his final movements if we are to catch his killer.”

Officers are working with the Iraqi embassy to notify his family and specialist family liaison officers are supporting his brother who is currently living in the West Midlands.

Anyone with information which may aid the investigation should call detectives from Force CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.