With Essex Police having been presented with the report by West Midlands Police into the case surrounding the death of Lee Balkwell in 2002, they have issued a statement
Lee Balkwell was a 33-year-old man from Elm Park, England who died in 2002. He was found dead in the early hours of 18 July 2002, when he was found with his head caught between the rotating drum of a concrete mixer at Baldwin’s Farm, just outside Thurrock.
His father, Les Balkwell, claims his son was murdered and the death was made to look like an accident
The statement reads: “Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Lee Catling of the Kent and Essex Joint Serious and Organised Crime Directorate will lead a joint Essex and Kent police team to complete and conclude the investigative work recommended by the review conducted by West Midlands Police.
This investigation will be overseen by ACC Alan Pughsley, head of the joint Serious Crime Directorate.
Essex Police continues to keep an open mind on the cause of Lee Balkwell’s death.
An Inquest found Lee’s death was as a result of unlawful killing through gross negligence. A Health & Safety investigation was launched but has been suspended pending the conclusion of the police investigation.
A number of complaints against Essex Police officers involved in the investigation into the death have been received and are being investigated by the IPCC.
Essex Police asked West Midlands Police to review their investigations into the death, which occurred in July 2002, and their report was presented in May 2010.
For legal and operational reasons, the contents of the West Midlands Report will not be published for the time being, although a copy has been provided to the IPCC.
The report recommends particular investigative actions to be taken disclosure of which could be prejudiced by making the report public.”
