A man has been charged with murdering a man who was kidnapped and died after suffering burn injuries six years ago. West Midlands Police said Tomasz Samel was taken from his home in Raleigh Close, Handsworth, Birmingham, by two men posing as Interpol officers in hi-vis vests and bundled into a white van outside his home at 8.45am on March 27, 2019.
It was not until 10.45pm the same day that the 45-year-old victim was able to bang on the door of a house in the village of Bickerstaffe and beg for help.
He was rushed for emergency treatment and transferred to a specialist burns unit in Whiston Hospital. Doctors established he had suffered 75% burns to his body.
Death did not follow immediately, and Mr Samel was able to speak to officers from West Midlands Police, the force confirmed. But three months later on June 21, he succumbed to his injuries.
In a statement confirming a murder charge has been brought against a man in connection with the inquiry, the West Midlands force said: “Our investigation has continued ever since, and we have now arrested and charged Tobiasz Kozlowski, 38, and Sandra Kozlowska, aged 37, both of Liverpool.
“Kozlowski has been charged with murder, conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to falsely imprison another, conspiracy to cause GBH with intent.
“He appeared before Birmingham magistrates on September 26. He was remanded in custody and will next appear before Birmingham Crown Court on October 24.
“Kozlowska has been charged with assisting an offender and will appear before the same court on the same day.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Scott Griffiths, who is leading the investigation, said: “We have not stopped in our pursuit of justice for Tomasz and his loved ones.
“But our work continues, and we would urge anyone with information who has not already spoken to us to please get in touch.”
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