James Brindley murder: Heartbroken parents speak for first time since holding dying son in their arms

The 26 year old was stabbed through the heart while walking home from a night out in Aldridge on June 23.

As West Midlands Police released an appeal asking for two Asian men seen leaving the Croft and entering Rookery Lane in the direction of the High Street in Aldridge at around 11:45pm that evening, the Brindley family have spoke of their grief.

In their statement, they say they feel 'unspeakable guilt' due to not being there to protect him that night and that “the unnatural death of our most precious son James has hit us like a bolt out of the blue”.

James was walking home through Aldridge when he was stabbed and killed. Four students coming back from their prom came across him on High Street but could not save his life.

Now, speaking for the first time since his murder, his mother Beverly and father Mark have released a statement paying tribute to the 26-year-old and describing how his family has been left ‘reeling’ and in ‘utter disbelief and despair’.

They said: “The unnatural death of our most precious son James has hit us like a bolt out of the blue; we are reeling from the shock of the event itself and in utter disbelief and despair at his loss.

“We are also feeling the unspeakable guilt that we weren’t there at that dreadful moment to defend him.

“Following the attack James wasn’t alone for long. Four heroic young men and their father rushed to help him, and stayed until the paramedics arrived on the scene.

“They worked tirelessly to save him, and when they had done everything humanly possible, we were able to go to him, and tell him how much we love him. But it wasn’t possible for us to hold him in our arms as his life passed away, or for him to know that his family was with him.

“We felt guilty seeing the sun rise on that next morning, and have every morning since.

“Yet, amidst all the emotions we are feeling, there is hope. This hope is fed by everyone around us. The love of our family, our friends, Charlotte’s (James’s sister) friends, and of course we are enormously uplifted by the outpouring of love from James’ friends, who have all written or spoken about experiences shared with him; their lifelong, happy memories, describing the positive effect that he has had on so many people’s lives.

“Everyone, it appears, loves James. Well, very nearly everyone.

“The manner of James’ death has shattered the whole of Aldridge, and beyond, but we are feeling a mood of positivity rising from the community of Aldridge. There are acts e are acts of incredible generosity happening, directed at our family.

“Thank you doesn’t even begin to describe how energised that makes us feel. Thank you, a trillion times, from the very bottom of our hearts. We are strengthened by the care of the police, both on that dreadful night, and since.

“They have empathised in word and deed, far and above what could reasonably have been expected. Their professionalism fills us with hope for resolution.

“We have decided to adopt one of James’ character traits, that of ‘wilfulness’. As a child James wilfully ignored all our attempts to curb his appetite for climbing up anything that was close by, and for running off.

“With help, we are going to be wilful in the pursuit of moving forwards as a family, and creating a lasting legacy in James’ memory; one that will benefit the community of Aldridge, and maybe, even society at large. Nothing too ambitious then, just like James. Inspired by James, with love, The Brindley family.”

Crimestoppers has put up a £10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Jame’s death.

And detectives from West Midlands Police are now focusing their attention on two Asian men seen leaving The Croft and entering Rookery Lane in the direction of High Street in Aldridge at around 11.45pm on the night James was murdered.

The force said the two men were ‘dressed smartly’ and could have been coming from a party or a night out.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Mallet said: “I can’t stress enough that we want to speak to these men as witnesses as we believe they may have seen something that could help with our investigation.

“We do not believe they were involved but we do think they may have seen something that night and I would urge them to get in touch.”

Officers are still hoping to trace two other men who were seen arguing with James moments before he was attacked just out of shot of CCTV cameras.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police by calling 101 or via Crimestoppers.

A fundraising page, set up nine days ago to raise money for Jame’s family, has raised more than £14,500. To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jamesbrindley