£20K reward to help find Darren Round’s killer

As Darren Round’s mum marks the third anniversary of the tragic discovery of her son’s body in a Birmingham canal, police are appealing again for the public’s help to find his killer.

In the years since Sheila last saw her only son, police have worked to bring her the answers she needs and the justice that Darren deserves.

West Midlands Police is asking for help again and have re-issued footage of a person who was in the area where Darren was last seen. And a £20,000 Crimestoppers reward for information remains in place.

Officers have been out this week walking the canal-side in Kings Norton and putting up posters near where Darren’s body was sadly discovered on the morning of Saturday, 15 February, 2020.

It was the weekend Storm Dennis struck the UK and the 48-year-old was earlier seen walking along the canal near Wharf Road Bridge, in the direction of Shannon Tunnel at around 12.40am. Tragically his body was then pulled from the canal near Masshouse Lane, at around 8.40am later that morning.

The evening before, on Friday 14 February, he’d left the home he shared with mum Sheila in Kings Norton at around 7.30pm. He was wearing a blue coat and a rucksack. Detectives have pieced together his movements and know he withdrew money from a cash machine at the Post Office at Kings Norton Green at about 7.45pm.

And then bought some alcohol from an off licence before making the near five-mile walk into the city centre along the canal towpaths before heading back.

A post mortem examination revealed that he’d suffered significant facial injuries before he entered the water which are consistent with him being assaulted.

What has West Midlands Police said about the case?

Detective Superintendent Shaun Edwards from the Homicide Investigation Team, said: “We have never given up in our quest to bring Darren’s family the answers they are entitled to.

“And our commitment to ensuring whoever is responsible does face justice, remains as strong as ever. That is why we’re asking for people to take a moment and think back to the night of those storms and consider if they do have information that will help with our investigation.

“We remain certain that someone knows who is responsible for Darren’s death and has the piece of information which will be vital in helping us bring them before the courts.

“You may believe that your information won’t matter, but it could be the detail that helps gives Darren’s family some peace.”

Get in contact with investigators via Live Chat on the police website or by calling 101. Alternatively to remain 100% anonymous tell independent charity Crimestoppers what you know, without saying who you are, on 0800 555 111.