Police say thieves fatally injured Michael Samwell, 35, outside his home in Chorlton as they drove off in his Audi S3

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A manhunt is under way for the thieves who killed a former Royal Navy officer by running him over with his own car after he confronted them outside his home.

Mike Samwell. Photograph: Greater Manchester police

Michael Samwell, 35, and his wife Jessica were woken by a loud bang outside their home in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, at around 3am on Sunday, police said.

The former Royal Navy engineer raced downstairs to disturb the thieves but suffered fatal injuries when they sped off in his Audi S3.

Det Supt Jon Chadwick from Greater Manchester police’s serious crime division said: “My thoughts go out to Michael’s wife and his family. I cannot comprehend what they must be going through.

“We have now launched a murder investigation and are searching for those responsible.

“This is the murder of an innocent man who has merely sought to protect his property from criminals.”

Samwell’s black Audi S3 was later found abandoned three miles away in Whitby Avenue, Ladybarn, with extensive damage.

Friends paid tribute to the former engineer they described as “one-in-a-million”, as neighbours in the affluent suburb reacted with shock at the killing.

A neighbour who lived opposite Samwell said it was the second Audi stolen from the street in a month. “It’s a really quiet residential street, it’s not the sort of thing that you would expect to happen, but there have been car thefts before on the street,” said the neighbour, who would only give his name as John.



“Because it’s a nice area, it’s an affluent area, people will come in unfortunately and people do come in from other parts of Manchester and target us.”



Nabhan Nayyar, 22, who lives and works at the top of the street where Samwell was killed, said he heard a commotion when going to get some food with friends in the early hours of the morning.



“I heard a noise but because I hear that stuff every night – people coming back from the pubs drunk – I thought it was just common but I woke this morning and heard the real news,” said Nayyar.

“I wish I could have aided the man because he was only 35. It’s like our safe haven here. I live here, my family lives here, we were born and bred here. If we’re not safe in our homes where are we safe?”

“It’s not the sort of thing that happens round here. It’s just astonishing. Very concerned. It’s really tragic,” said Dan Debowitz, 48, who lives on an adjacent street. Another resident, Alan Jones, 54, said: “It’s shocking. It’s a quiet area round here – this is very unusual.”

Local residents Barry Rimmer, 56, and his partner Tahani Alghanim, 42, expressed disbelief as they walked past the police cordon on Sunday morning. “I’ve never seen any trouble here of any description,” said Rimmer. “It’s very unusual.”

Samwell is thought to have worked until three years ago in the Royal Navy unit responsible for drawing up its policy on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. More recently he is believed to have worked as a programme manager on the £10bn Moorside nuclear project in Cumbria.

A team of white-suited scene-of-crime officers could be seen entering the Samwells’ red-brick terrace property behind a police cordon on Sunday afternoon.

Detectives said they were not sure what happened when Samwell went downstairs but that shouting was heard from the rear of the property.

He was rushed to hospital after being found in the parking area at the rear of the house with serious injuries but died a short time later, police said.

Chadwick said Samwell’s wife Jessica, whom he married in 2011, had been left devastated.

He said: “I would never try and describe what anyone goes through when this happens, because unless you have been there, you don’t know. She is with her family and family liaison officers. Clearly, her world has been ripped apart.”

In a direct message to the culprits, Chadwick added: “You clearly know you have crossed the line here.

“We are going to find out who you are, so it would be better for everybody if you gave yourself up.”

Asked about what people should do if they heard noises outside their homes in such circumstances, he added: “I think it’s easy to give official advice when it’s not your house.

“I can stand here and say if you hear a noise downstairs call the police and stay upstairs, but I know that I wouldn’t do that and I know exactly why Michael did what he did.”

He continued: “I appeal for anyone with any knowledge of what happened to come forward. I would particularly like to hear from people who were anywhere near Cranbourne Road at around 3am last night or have seen Michael’s car being driven erratically or abandoned shortly afterwards.



“If you know who has done this you must inform the police of what you know. We will not stop until we have found the person responsible for this dreadful crime.”

Dozens of residents, churchgoers and former colleagues paid tribute to Samwell in a vigil outside Chorlton central church on Sunday night.

Mourners held a minute’s silence for the former Royal Navy officer before laying flowers behind a police cordon on the street where he was killed.

Reverend Mike Walsh of the United Reformed Church, who led the service, said there was “extreme shock and deep sadness” at the incident. He added: “People haven’t reached the anger stage yet, they’re just in deep shock at such a tragic thing to have taken place.

“We just wanted to mark the occasion and show our respect, our support and our community spirit, our love and our prayers.”