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Murder hunt: Det Insp Dean Jones led the press conference on Stourport riverside.

A MURDER investigation has been launched in Stourport following the death of a 62-year-old man whose body was found in the River Severn.

A post mortem examination revealed that he had drowned but before entering the water had sustained multiple injuries to his head and body, consistent with an assault.

Reginald Southall, of Redstone Lane, Stourport, had been out for a walk with his wife before his death on December 4 last year.

He continued walking after his wife returned home. He was last seen at 6.45pm that evening and was reported missing by his wife the following day.

His body was discovered by fishermen at the point where the River Severn meets the River Stour at a spot known locally as Breakwater.

Police have been carrying out searches over the past few months within a 10-mile radius of Stourport, including countryside at Rock and Bewdley.

The search intensified on Tuesday morning and officers are looking for a possible murder weapon and property belonging to Mr Southall.

This includes one of a pair of black leather shoes he was wearing, a mobile phone and a wallet.

Victim: Reginald Southall.

During Tuesday's search, around 40 officers combed the riverbanks from the Redstone Lane area to a point just beyond Stourport Bridge.

A team of seven divers from South Wales Police Specialist Underwater Unit searched the riverbed and yesterday continued diving in temperatures of six degrees.

During a press conference held on Stourport riverside yesterday, Deputy Senior Investigating Officer, Det Insp Dean Jones, said he was confident the evidence the search teams were looking for had not been moved, despite weather conditions which included flooding at the time of the victim's disappearance.

He remained tight-lipped about the murder weapon, which was believed to be a blunt instrument.

Police have renewed their appeal for sightings of Mr Southall before his disappearance and Mr Jones said police would not rest until his killer had been brought to justice.

He added: "We obviously would like to hear from anyone who may have found or seen any items lying on or near the riverside."

"We want to build up a clearer picture of Mr Southall's movements prior to his disappearance and are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen him at around 6.45pm or afterwards on December 4.

"It is believed that he walked down to the river from Redstone Lane and may have also gone on to the Walshes estate at some point.

"We would also appeal for anyone who was at or near either side of the River Severn at Stourport on December 4 between approximately 6.45pm and 8pm in order to establish if they saw anyone.

"People may not realise the significance of anyone they might have seen but it's vital they come forward to talk to us."

Detectives will be delivering posters to those living on both sides of the river near Redstone Lane, including the Walshes estate, and talking to residents as part of their appeal for witnesses. The posters will also be displayed in locations such as the library and bus station.

Mr Southall, who lived in the Pensnett area of Dudley before moving to Stourport last year, leaves behind his wife, son and three grandchildren.

He was working as a lorry driver for a Halesowen company at the time of his death Det Insp Jones added: "Our team of detectives would like to hear from anyone who knew Mr Southall or his family in order to build up a more detailed picture of his lifestyle and his movements on the night of Tuesday, December 4.

"We would urge anyone who has any information, irrespective of how insignificant it may seem, to contact the murder investigation team at Stourport on 08457 444888 or to ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111."

5:02pm Wednesday 9th April 2008

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