Smethwick man and woman charged with murder after remains found in canal
A man and woman from Smethwick have been charged with murder after a body was found in a Midland canal.
Joshua Simon, aged 33, who is unemployed, and unemployed 34-year-old Michelle Bird, both of Oxford Road, will appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning.
They are both charged with the murder of 39-year-old local man Michael Spalding, known to family and friends as 'Spud.'
The pair were arrested on May 19.
The investigation began when officers were called to Icknield Port Road in the Ladywood area of Birmingham at around 4pm on May 12 following the discovery of remains, recovered from the water by men who were working on the canal.
Detective Inspector Harry Harrison, who is leading the investigation, said: "Enquiries are on-going and I am still keen to hear from anyone who had contact with Mr Spalding any time during the last month. If there is anyone who knows anything about what happened and has not yet spoken to police, I would urge them to contact us as soon as possible."
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
