Man found dead after being reported missing - West Midlands Police, February 2018

In February 2018 a man was reported missing by his girlfriend following an argument after which he had threatened to commit suicide. West Midlands Police Service (WMP) carried out a missing person’s enquiry. The man was assessed as being ‘high risk’ due to drug and alcohol issues. Five days later the man was found dead.

West Midlands Police referred the matter to us.

Our investigators carried out a review of the actions of WMP in relation to the missing person’s enquiry to establish whether national and local policies and guidelines had been complied with.

During the investigation there was no indication that any of the policies had been breached.

Evidence indicated that the man was classed from the start as a high-risk missing person. WMP carried out appropriate reviews of the circumstances of the investigation in the days following the initial report. Two reported sightings of the man were investigated to establish his whereabouts. A police search adviser was engaged and a police helicopter used to assist in searching the area. We were of the opinion that officers involved in the investigation acted appropriately and in accordance with the WMP missing persons policy.

Based on the evidence available we found no indication that any person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or had committed a criminal offence. We concluded our investigation in October 2018.