Dad, 45, found dead at school by girl, 11, is pictured as tributes roll in to ‘beautiful father’ who loved fishing
Smestow Academy remained closed following the incident
A MAN who was found dead on a school field by an eleven-year-old girl heading for a PE lesson has been pictured for the first time.
Tributes have rolled in for avid fisher Neil Thompson, 45, after he was tragically found dead in Wolverhampton.
His devastated family, who are being supported by specialist officers, are urging anyone with information to speak with police.
They said: “Our beautiful son, brother, father and friend Chuck, very much loved in the community of fishing, his one true love.
“His love for life and funny stories touched the lives of so many people.
“To help us find closure as a family we urge anyone with any information or sightings to please get in touch.”
Friends posted photos of Neil, fondly known as ‘Chuck’, and paid tribute to the “top bloke”.
One friend posted a picture on Facebook captioned: “There is a 20lber ready to be caught, and she’ll be named after you brother.
“Nobody’s caught her I know this, trust me. Once they do we’ll name it Chuck’s fish.
“We shall protect your lake at all cost. I wont let you down brother I promise. I’ve lost my guy, I’m not losing anything else.
“Fly high brother.”
Another tribute read: “Rip brother, top man.
“We got some good memories, you’ll be missed by many.”
A third added: “What a top bloke, was chatting to him other day.”
Thompson often posted photos on social media of himself holding his proudest fish.
“This is very sad, he was a lovely fella. Thinking of his family,” another tribute read.
One friend posted: “Gutted Chuck. Rest easy with your guitar and fishing rod. You were one of the best.”
A schoolgirl, 11, discovered his body as she was heading over to the football field for a PE lesson at Smestow Academy in Wolverhampton on Monday.
Emergency services scrambled to the scene around 40 minutes later following the pupil’s grim discovery.
West Midlands Police said that the death was being treated as “unexplained”.
A spokesman for the force said: “Specialist detectives are supporting his loved ones at this tragic time.
“We are currently treating his death as unexplained, and officers are reviewing CCTV footage from around the area to establish exactly what happened.
“The victim was seen at 1am this morning on Wheatsheaf Road, Wolverhampton and was then sighted on the school grounds at 7.15am.
“He was last seen wearing a distinctive camouflage jacket, grey gilet, jeans, and a beanie hat.
“He was also carrying a red rucksack and may have been wearing sunglasses.”
Smestow Academy remained closed following the incident, which it said was not connected to the school.
Supt Martin Hurcomb, from Wolverhampton Police, said yesterday : “Our teams are continuing to investigate the circumstances around this tragic incident and we are offering support to Mr Thompson’s family.
” Enquiries are moving ahead as investigators work to piece together his movements and we’d ask again that anyone who may have seen Mr Thompson in the early hours of yesterday does get in touch.
“Neighbourhood officers are also out in the area, so please do speak with them as they can offer reassurance to anyone who has concerns.”
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We were called to a medical emergency in a field on Windmill Crescent, Castlecroft, Wolverhampton at 10.41am today.
“Two ambulances and a paramedic officer responded to the scene where, sadly, one man was confirmed deceased.”
