FAMILY MAKES HEARTBREAKING PLEA AFTER DAD IS FOUND DEAD ON SCHOOL FIELD — MYSTERY SURROUNDS BIKE PULLED FROM CANAL

The family of a 45-year-old father found dead on a school playing field has made an emotional appeal for a stranger who recovered his e-bike from a canal to come forward.

Neil Thompson, known affectionately as “Chuck,” was found at Smestow Academy in Wolverhampton in January after an 11-year-old schoolgirl discovered him while preparing for a PE lesson.

Months later, questions still remain over exactly what happened during the final hours of Neil’s life.

Now, on what would have been his 46th birthday, his family is asking the person who pulled his mud-covered e-bike from the canal to contact police.

THE MYSTERY OF THE E-BIKE

Neil had left his home at around 8.17pm on January 18 to visit a friend.

After leaving at approximately 1am the following morning, CCTV captured him travelling along the towpath beside Smestow Canal at around 1.26am.

But investigators have never established exactly how Neil sustained the injuries that later proved fatal.

His e-bike was subsequently found in the canal and was apparently pulled from the water by a member of the public.

The bike was later left beside a bridge near a lock.

Police now believe the person who recovered it could help Neil’s family identify the precise location where it was found.

Detective Sergeant Amie Petford, of West Midlands Police, said the family wants the person to come forward so they can have a place where they can remember Neil and lay flowers.

A DISCOVERY THAT SHOCKED AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL

Neil was eventually found on the playing field at Smestow Academy.

An 11-year-old girl made the discovery while heading outside for a PE lesson on a foggy morning.

Her father previously described how his daughter called her mother in distress after finding the body.

The experience left the young girl deeply shaken.

At the time, police launched a homicide investigation while detectives worked to establish what had happened to Neil.

However, the case later took a different direction.

WHAT HAPPENED TO NEIL?

An inquest heard that Neil died from serious head and facial injuries, with the exact cause described by the coroner as unknown.

A post-mortem examination found significant injuries to the left side of his face, a traumatic brain injury and a fracture around his left eye socket.

A pathologist said the injuries were consistent with blunt-force trauma and could potentially have resulted from a heavy fall, although an assault could not initially be ruled out.

Police now believe Neil may have suffered his injuries after coming off his e-bike and crashing into the canal.

However, important questions remain unanswered.

Investigators could not establish exactly how Neil travelled from the canal towpath to the school playing field.

There was also no CCTV showing how he sustained his injuries.

A FINAL JOURNEY STILL SHROUDED IN QUESTIONS

A member of the public walking a dog through Smestow Valley Nature Reserve photographed Neil in the school grounds at around 7.15am.

He was believed to still be alive at that point.

Investigators were unable to establish exactly what happened between his journey along the canal towpath and his eventual discovery on the school field.

Police also found no confirmed evidence of robbery and no clear damage or blood evidence along the towpath.

West Midlands Police have said there is no further criminal investigation into the circumstances.

‘HE WAS VERY MUCH LOVED’

Neil’s family previously described him as a beloved son, brother, father and friend.

They said Chuck was deeply loved within the fishing community, which was his great passion.

In a tribute following his death, they said his love for life and funny stories had touched the lives of many people.

Now, they are hoping one unanswered detail can finally be resolved.

They want to know exactly where Neil’s e-bike was recovered from the canal — not simply to understand another part of his final journey, but to have somewhere meaningful where they can go, remember him and leave flowers.

West Midlands Police have urged the person who recovered the bike to contact officers, quoting crime reference log 1452 of January 19.

For Neil’s loved ones, the appeal is about more than a bicycle.

It is about finding one last piece of the story — and a place where they can remember a father, son, brother and friend they lost far too soon.