Birmingham murders: £10,000 reward offered

The couple had four children and eight grandchildren

A reward of up to £10,000 has been offered for information over the murder of a couple at their Birmingham home.

Avtar Singh-Kolar, 62, and his wife, Carole, 58, were found by their police officer son, Jason, at the Friary Road house in Handsworth Wood on Wednesday.

Post-mortem examinations into the deaths are expected to be completed later.

Det Supt Richard Baker, who is leading the inquiry, has described the killings as an "atrocious crime".

Crimestoppers put up the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Mr Baker said: "I would like to thank Crimestoppers for offering this reward and say again that local people hold the key to finding who is responsible for this terrible tragedy.

"If you believe that you have any piece of information that may help our enquiries, I would ask you to call us or Crimestoppers as soon as possible."

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, the couple's daughter Michelle Kirwan, 39, described her parents as "the sweetest and kindest people I have ever met".

She said they were the "beautiful parents" of four children and grandparents to eight grandchildren, "who adored them with all their hearts".

The couple had been married for 40 years and had lived in the Handsworth Wood area for most of their lives.

Police have said a team of 60 detectives is working on the case.

Mr Baker said Jason's job as a police officer was being examined as a line of inquiry.

However he added that at the moment there was "nothing to suggest at all" his role as a police officer was relevant to the murder investigation.

Mr Baker said officers were also investigating if the murder was related to an increase in gold thefts in the area.