A tearful neighbour has described the harrowing final moments of a man in his 30s who died following an alleged stabbing in Sutton Coldfield, revealing that the victim whispered 'thank you' as she held his hand. The incident occurred on Chester Road shortly after midnight, prompting a murder investigation by West Midlands Police.
Neighbour's Account of the Attack
Christine Baker, a 30-year resident of Chester Road, said the attack took place in a house of multiple occupation (HMO) adjacent to her home. She recounted hearing 'banging and screaming' before discovering the victim bleeding outside. 'I opened the front door and he was bleeding out. I held his hand and he said thank you. I couldn't breathe,' she told BirminghamLive, wiping tears from her eyes as she walked her dogs near the police cordon.
Baker explained that the disturbance began around midnight when she heard banging on her door, followed by the sound of crashing glass and intense banging. 'The dogs wouldn't stop barking. I called 999,' she said. She added that she had not slept all night and described feeling 'awful' and unable to get the image out of her head.
Police Investigation Underway
West Midlands Police confirmed that a man in his 30s was stabbed on Chester Road and died at the scene despite officers' efforts. A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. Police stated that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, and it is believed the suspect and victim were known to each other.
The force is appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward, with officers remaining at the scene to gather evidence. Residents can contact police on 101, quoting log 113 of 8 August.
Community Shock and Cordon
The Chester Road cordon stretched between College Road and Antrobus Road/Court Lane on Saturday, with forensic officers and detectives working through the area. A long-time resident, who has lived on the street for 50 years, expressed shock: 'All I know is there's been a murder. The police told me. I have not seen anything like this. It's absolutely shocking.'
Baker also noted that the HMO has been a source of concern, recalling a previous incident where a resident died of a heart attack. 'A few weeks ago a guy had a heart attack in his bedroom and they found him dead,' she said, reflecting on the troubled nature of the property.
