Six Jailed for Brutal Park Murder of Devoted Father

A Gang of six robbers including three youths will serve over 110 years in prison for murdering a father attacked while walking in Perry Hall Park.

Six males, including three teenagers, have been jailed for the brutal murder of Michael Obasi, a devoted father who was attacked while out on a routine evening walk in Perry Hall Park, Birmingham, in March 2024.

Michael, 38, had gone out on 14 March and never returned. He was reported missing by his family and tragically discovered by a dog walker two days later. A post-mortem revealed he had died from multiple injuries following a sustained, violent attack.

In a tribute, Michael’s family said he may have gone out to practise flying his drone or to try and beat his father in their daily step-count competition—simple pleasures that reflected his warm and family-focused nature.

An investigation revealed he had been set upon by a group of three adult men and three teenage boys. CCTV footage later showed some of them re-enacting the attack and laughing about it on the same night, before using Michael’s bank card in local shops. Items belonging to him were later found in their homes. The three adults—Manuel Filipache, Ion Morar and Ion Calin—were also linked to a separate robbery at Walsall Train Station in January, where a man was punched and kicked repeatedly.

All six were arrested in Aston and later convicted at Birmingham Crown Court of murder and robbery. Filipache, Morar and Calin were also found guilty of attempted robbery at the station.

Sentences handed down:

• Manuel Filipache: life with a minimum term of 29 years
• Ion Morar: life with a minimum term of 25 years
• Ion Calin: life with a minimum term of 24 years
• 17-year-old boy: life with a minimum term of 15 years
• 16-year-old boy: life with a minimum term of 14 years
• 15-year-old boy: life with a minimum term of 9 years

Michael’s family described him as “a beloved partner, dad, son, brother and uncle,” whose “beautiful smile and gentle spirit brought warmth and joy to those around him.”

Detective Inspector Phil Poole, from the Homicide Team, condemned the group’s behaviour during the trial:

“The group showed no remorse. Instead, they acted in a disgusting manner and put Michael’s family through even more pain. I hope today’s sentences offer them some small measure of closure.”