Elderly residents at The Laurels, a Birmingham City Council-run extra care apartments block in Mere Green, have expressed their fears
Police at the scene outside The Laurels assisted living accommodation in Grange Lane, Mere Green in Sutton Coldfield, the day after a man’s body was found.
Residents at an assisted living complex were said to be living in fear after a murder probe was launched.
A man’s body was found at The Laurels, a Birmingham City Council-run care complex with 32 flats, in Grange Lane, Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield, on Wednesday, August 27.
Police and the ambulance service were alerted at 9.31am. West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “Sadly, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased at the scene.”
READ MORE: Murder arrest after man’s body found at council-run accommodation
Officers arrested a woman on suspicion of murder. She was later released on police bail
West Midlands Police initially said the man’s death was being treated as ‘unexplained’.
A force spokesman said: “A man’s body was discovered at an address in Grange Lane, Sutton Coldfield, shortly before 9.50am on Wednesday, August 27.
“At this stage, the death is being treated as unexplained.
”A forensic post-mortem will be carried out in due course to help establish the cause of death.”
The force later said the post-mortem examination had proved ‘inconclusive’.
A police car outside Birmingham City Council-run The Laurels in Grange Lane, Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield
In a further statement it added: “A forensic post-mortem has been conducted.
“The results are currently inconclusive and further inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.”
Upon further questioning from BirminghamLive, West Midlands Police finally revealed this week that a murder investigation had been launched.
Read more: Man found dead at council flats complex with police investigating
Residents have raised concerns about the incident with fears for their safety.
A woman at the accommodation, who asked not to be named, told BirminghamLive: “We don’t feel safe. We have had to lock our doors. We don’t know what happened.
“We have weekly checks on our flats and obviously they hadn’t been checking. We are elderly people here and we never used to have to lock our rooms.
“Now, after all of this has happened, we do.”
Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join
She continued: “We have all been told we would get support for this and we have had none.
“We have not been told anything. The way we have been treated is disgusting. We have been left in the dark.”
Get the latest Sutton Coldfield news delivered direct to your inbox
A spokesman for Birmingham City Council earlier said: “We are aware of this and are working with West Midlands Police in their investigations.
“We are taking action to make sure that residents and staff affected are being supported as necessary.
“Obviously, as this is now a police matter, we are unable to comment further.”
A force spokesman added: “Our enquiries are ongoing, and we’re keen to hear from anyone who may have information that could assist us.
“You can contact us via Live Chat on our website, or call 101, quoting log 1152 of 27/8/25.”