James Brindley: Police hunt two men over Aldridge stab murder
Detectives are searching for two men believed to have been arguing with Aldridge murder victim James Brindley moments before he was killed.
The 26-year-old was seen having a disagreement with two men who are then thought to have run off through The Croft park at around the time of the fatal attack, police revealed today.
The young man from Aldridge died in his parents' arms on the village's High Street on Friday, after he was stabbed through the heart following a night out with friends.
The attack, described as 'callous' and brutal' by detectives, is believed to have happened out of view of CCTV in the Little Aston Road area shortly before midnight.
Officers are unsure of the motive behind the stabbing, but the detective in charge of the murder investigation today confirmed that two men could hold the key to establishing what happened.
Detective Inspector Jim Munro, from West Midlands Police CID, said: “We’ve have already had a really good response following our appeal and have spoken to a number of witnesses.
“We have received some information about two men who were seen by the entrance to The Croft near to the entrance on the Little Aston Road side just before the attack.
“We’ve also been told that James was seen having a disagreement with these two men moments before he was stabbed.
WATCH: Detective talks through James Brindley's final moments
“These men were seen to run off into The Croft in the direction of Rookery Lane/Whetstone Lane.
“I would urge these men or anyone who knows who they are to contact police as soon as possible. James’ family are devastated and we need to bring those responsible to justice."
Today's appeal comes after Det Insp Munro urged the occupants of four cars captured on CCTV in the area on Friday night to get in touch, in the hope that they could help police find the killer.
“We know that four vehicles were travelling along Little Aston Road towards Aldridge town centre at the time we believe James was stabbed and we are very keen to speak to the occupants of those cars," Det Insp Munro said.
WATCH: Footage of four cars in the area at the time of the attack
Officers were still scouring the area around the High Street and The Croft for the murder weapon yesterday, as the number of flowers, tributes and donations in Mr Brindley's memory increased.
So far more than £10,000 has been donated to the former Aldridge School student's family, who described their son and brother as 'deeply sensitive and fiercely loyal'.
Tom Stopford, who had known Mr Brindley since the pair were at Cooper and Jordan primary school together, set up the appeal and described the more than 500 donations as 'truly overwhelming'.
"I have spoken to Jim's family and just wanted to reiterate the gratitude expressed by Beverly, Mark and Charlotte," Mr Stopford added.
"Everyone's support means a lot to them at this overwhelmingly sad time."
Mr Brindley had been drinking at the Wetherspoons pub on Anchor Lane and was talking to his girlfriend on the phone when he was attacked on Friday.
Although he is believed to have been stabbed next to The Croft on Little Aston Road, he was found on the High Street by four schoolboys who were on the way home from their prom.
The 16-year-olds gave Mr Brindley first aid, contacted his parents who live nearby and alerted the emergency services.
Mr Brindley then died in his parents' arms at around midnight.
David Mountney, headteacher at Aldridge School, yesterday spoke of his shock at the former student's death, which came just days after 15-year-old pupil Spencer Hurst died after getting into trouble in a lake at Ryders Haves Mears.
"It has been a most difficult week for Aldridge as a community, and for Aldridge School which serves as part of the heart of that community," Mr Mountney said.
"No one could have predicted that in just five days two young people would lose their lives in shocking ways and the community mourns their passing."
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
To donate to Mr Brindley's family go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jamesbrindley
