Body of Missing Birmingham Fan Found in River Derwent

A body believed to be that of Paul Pike, an 18-year-old Birmingham City supporter from Kings Heath, Birmingham, was discovered in the River Derwent near Derby County's Pride Park stadium on Sunday, March 29. The finding came more than a week after Pike vanished while attending his team's Championship match against Derby County on March 21.

Pike had traveled from Birmingham to Derby for the fixture, arriving at the stadium around midday. According to police, he entered Pride Park but left about 13 minutes before kickoff. Closed-circuit television footage captured him walking along a riverside path near the Millennium Way cut-through at approximately 12:43 p.m., marking the last confirmed sighting. Some of his belongings were later found nearby, prompting intensified searches in the area.

Concern mounted quickly among Pike's family and the football community. His brother, Andrew Fuller, posted appeals on social media, describing Pike as his best friend and expressing hopes for future plans like attending cricket matches and away games. "This is my Brother more so my best mate, want him back so much," Fuller wrote. By March 26, supporters from both Birmingham City and Derby County,...