Yahoo News Murder hunt launched after former Royal Navy officer dies trying to stop car thieves
A man has died after confronting thieves who broke into his home and stole his car, police have said.
Michael Samwell, 35, a former Royal Navy officer, from Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester, was killed when he was run over by his own car as he tried to stop the thieves getting away.
Mr Samwell, who was married, was woken in the early hours of Sunday morning by a loud bang in the downstairs of his property in Cranbourne Road.
There is thought to have been a confrontation and a short time later Mr Samwell was found at the rear of the property suffering from serious injuries.
He was taken to hospital but died a short time later.
His car, a black Audi S3, had been stolen and police said it appeared that he had been run over by the vehicle, which caused his injuries.
The vehicle was found abandoned a short time later in Ladybarn with extensive damage.
Mr Samwell, who studied at Leeds University, joined the Royal Navy as an officer trainee in 2002.
After completing his initial training at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth he specialised in weapons technology and nuclear engineering, serving on board submarines.
He married his long term girlfriend, Jess, in July 2011 and left the Navy three years later, joining the engineering firm Atkins.
He had recently been working on a project to delivering a nuclear power station in Cumbria.
Last January his brother was the victim of a similar break in when thieves got into his home and stole the keys to his van.
Det Supt Jon Chadwick from GMP’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.
“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.”
