Man and woman charged with murder of father beaten to death in Wolverhampton flat
A man and a woman have been charged with murdering a father who was found beaten to death in a Wolverhampton flat.
Artura Busma, 39, was today named as the man alleged to have been killed by Simon Wilkins and Jodie Rafferty.
Wilkins, 27, and Rafferty, 33, were charged with murder last night after Mr Busma was found in a flat on Tettenhall Road on Tuesday.
Police officers found Mr Busma's body in the flat after a man handed himself into a police station and reported the murder at around 11.30am.
Paramedics were called but Mr Busma was pronounced dead at the scene near Newhampton Road West in Newbridge.
Wilkins and Rafferty were both arrested on Tuesday.
A post-mortem examination on Wednesday revealed Mr Busma suffered significant blunt force trauma to his head and body, West Midlands Police said.
A tribute from Mr Busma's wife said: "He was a wonderful person, a loving husband and a great dad to our sons.
"He will be greatly missed, and always in our hearts.”
Interactive map of the area:
Wilkins and Rafferty, who live at separate properties in Tettenhall Road, were due to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court today.
Meanwhile police remain at the scene in Tettenhall Road as forensics specialists continue to examine the flat where Mr Busma's body was found.
Detectives are still keen to hear from witnesses who saw anything suspicious in the area between 8pm on Monday and the early hours of Tuesday.
Detective Inspector Laura Harrison said: “We are still trying to fully understand what went on at the flat in Tettenhall Road and the movements of Mr Busma and the suspects in the hours before the murder.”
Anyone with information is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101, quoting crime reference number 20WV/94693F/20, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
