Major update on identity of body found in burnt-out car as police conclude 'no suspicious circumstances'

Police investigating the discovery of a human body inside a burnt-out car near the Staffordshire/Shropshire border said today they believe the person was a man in his 20s from the West Midlands.

Staffordshire Police also said its investigators do not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the man, who was found in a car parked in Sheep Walk Lane near Kinver.

Police and fire service investigators have been making enquiries since the car was found in the gateway to a field on Thursday morning (October 29), and today Detective Inspector David Rowlands of Staffordshire Police’s Criminal Investigation Department shared an update on “significant progress”.

“I know that lots of people have been asking for updates on our investigation into this incident, which has now progressed since our initial enquiries.

“While formal identification is still yet to take place, we believe the individual who was found deceased inside the car to be a man in his 20s from the West Midlands area.

“Officers have contacted his family this morning to share the tragic news, pending formal identification which is expected to take some time.

“After carrying out extensive enquiries, we do not believe there to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the man’s death. We are now working on a file for HM Coroner.

“I’d like to thank everyone who have been in touch to share information following our appeal.”

The car has since been recovered to a secure facility, the force said.