Boy, 13, stabbed to death in own home in Oldbury as police launch manhunt

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A murder investigation has been launched after a teenager was stabbed to death in his own home in the West Midlands.

The 13-year-old boy, who has not been named, died inside a house on Lovett Avenue in Oldbury on Thursday afternoon.

No arrests have been made yet, but the Sandwell police commander said “active lines of inquiry” are being followed to find the suspect.

In a statement outside West Bromwich Police Station on Friday afternoon, Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, of West Midlands Police, issued a plea for information as detectives continue their investigation.

“This is truly sad and tragic incident where a young boy has lost his life,” she said. “First and foremost, my thoughts, and the thoughts of all those involved in investigating the death of this young boy, remain firmly with the family and the loved ones.

“I know this will also have had a huge impact on the wider community who will be shocked and concerned about what has happened. I’m grateful to our officers who attended the address and supported the paramedics as they worked in vain to try and save his life.

“I’m here to let the family, and the wider community, know that we will work with you and support you as we seek to find who is responsible for the death of this young boy.

“We have a team of detectives investigating exactly what happened and we are following active lines of inquiry to find the suspect.

“We know the incident took place inside his home and I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward.”

Dozens of bunches of flowers, candles and teddies have been brought to the semi-detached home that Police were called to on Lovette Avenue, Oldbury, at 4pm on Thursday where the boy was being treated by paramedics.

An officer is standing at the cordon placing the tributes outside the front door of the property.

Despite best efforts of the paramedics on Thursday afternoon, the teenager passed away.

Chief Superintendent Kim Madill added: “We have local officers and youth workers in the area over the coming days, so please speak to them directly if you have concerns or any information you would like to pass to us.

“We have created an online portal for people to send us information as we build our investigation and my personal ask today is if you have any information at all, no matter how small, then please send it in.”

Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch via Live Chat or 101, quoting log 3204 of 29/8/24.