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West Midlands Police continue their investigation into the murder of Richard Hopley found stabbed in a car on Metchley Lane on Thursday (September 22)

The heartbroken parents of murder victim Richard Hopley have paid tribute to their only child who was found stabbed in a car near Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The car in which Richard, aged 43, had crashed in Metchley Lane just after 3pm on Thursday (22 September). His parents say he was “a much loved son and only child, dearly loved by his mum and dad. We are absolutely heartbroken and devastated.”

As tributes were made to Richard, West Midlands Police are continuing their investigations and appealing for witnesses and are trying to trace an Asian man who was dressed in a white sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms.

Detective Inspector Jim Mahon, from the homicide team said: “ We’ve collected and are reviewing hours of CCTV to help build a picture of what happened on Thursday afternoon. We’ve also spoken to various witnesses and people in the area.

“We’ve had a great response from people in the area for which we are grateful, and I continue to urge anyone who saw anything to contact us. We are working through the evidence, to produce a timeline of events, leading up to the collision of the car Richard was travelling in and a stationary vehicle.

Police investigate the murder scene at Metchley Lane in Harborne, Birmingham near Queen Elizabeth Hospital | Joseph Walshe / SWNS

“I would like to thank the public for their assistance and patience for the disruption caused in the local area as a result of the scene examination. We are still trying to trace a man seen leaving the scene of the collision. He is described as an Asian male and wearing white sweatshirt and white tracksuit bottoms. Richard’s family are devastated, we need your help to find those responsible for this desperately sad act.”

Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch with police, quoting log 2423 of 22 September via live chat on the West Midlands Police website, or call 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Tell them what you know – not who you are.

Police investigating the murder of a man on Metchley Lane near Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham | Joseph Walshe / SWNS

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Metchley Lane murder: Tributes to victim Richard Hopley found stabbed near Queen Elizabeth Hospital