Mystery surrounds the death of man who died from stab wounds at his home in Bromsgrove last February.

Police launched a murder inquiry after David Currier was stabbed while his six-year-old son slept upstairs. The 35-year-old’s body was found by neighbours on February 11.

The traumatised youngster was found in his pyjamas, sucking his thumb, sitting at the top of the stairs at the home they had only recently moved into.

An inquest into Mr Currier’s death was held at Stourport Coroners court yesterday when, based on the evidence set before him, Worcester Coroner Geraint Williams recorded an open verdict.

The Coroner heard evidence from Detective Inspector Brian Russell, of West Mercia police, and forensic pathologist Dr James Lucas. Both revealed that Mr Currier had a history of drug abuse and self-harm and that the week before his death he has cut himself badly on his left forearm with a knife. They also revealed that the night before his death he had an argument with his wife which spilled out on to the driveway.

Det Insp Russell said the incident had, “got a bit physical”, and that his wife had immediately returned to Birmingham with her nephew. He said that Mr Currier was seen punching himself repeatedly in the face on the driveway of his home because he was so angry about the argument. But he also revealed that, in spite of a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offenders, West Mercia police had, “no firm suspects at the moment”.

The police found evidence that Mr Currier’s house had been broken into and have been looking into reports that four men were seen standing on the driveway of his house beside a white transit van early on February 11.

Det Insp Russell also revealed they had discovered multiple blooded footprints in the kitchen which did not belong to the house.

Earlier this year Mr Currier’s sister, Lorraine Nicholls, made an appeal to the public to help catch his killers. She described her brother, a car valet, as a “lovable rogue with a heart of gold”.

Fighting back tears, Ms Nicholls said: “David was the youngest of my three brothers... he was a loveable rogue with a heart of gold. He was a real joker but he calmed down as he grew older.

“Having a child turned David’s life around. They adored each other.”

Forensic Pathologist Dr Lucas revealed that the cause of Mr Currier’s death was a single 12cm stab wound to the lower right thigh which severed his femoral artery, after which he bled to death on the kitchen floor. He said: “It is extremely unusual to find a fatal, self-inflicted stab wound to the leg. One does not look at the wound in isolation. One has to look at the scene of the death and looking at that scene I have a strong suspicion of third party involvement.”

Recording the open verdict, the Coroner said: “Dr Lucas cannot exclude the possibility of a self-inflicted wound and Mr Currier has something of a history of self-inflicted wounds. We cannot be sure a third party caused his injuries but we cannot be sure he intended to take his own life.”