Girl, 11, Finds Dead Body on Middle School Sports Field During Physical Education Class: Reports
- - Girl, 11, Finds Dead Body on Middle School Sports Field During Physical Education Class: Reports
Gabrielle RocksonJanuary 20, 2026 at 4:55 AM
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British News and Media/Alamy Live News
Police at Smestow Academy, Castlecroft, Wolverhampton in England on Jan. 19. 2026 -
An 11-year-old middle school student is recovering from finding a dead body during her physical education class
On Monday, Jan. 19, local authorities said a 45-year-old man was found on the grounds of Smestow Academy, in Wolverhampton, England.
The unnamed man was pronounced dead at the scene
An 11-year-old girl is recovering from the shock of finding a dead body during her physical education class.
On Monday, Jan. 19, the West Midlands Police confirmed in a release that “a 45-year-old man was found with injuries on the grounds of Smestow Academy” in Wolverhampton, England.
Officials said he was found in the morning and pronounced dead at the scene.
While police didn’t confirm who found the man, an 11-year-old student’s father told U.K. newspaper The Telegraph that his daughter was “really shaken up” after finding the body during her phys ed class.
British News and Media/Alamy Live News
Police at Smestow Academy in the Castlecroft area of Wolverhampton on Jan. 19, 2026
“My daughter phoned her mom up, screaming, and told her that she found a dead body by the goal posts on the field,” he said. “She’s only 11 years of age. They went out for PE and it was very foggy this morning.”
“It’s left her really shaken up and we’ve come to take her out of school early," the father added. "It’s terrible what she’s had to see.”
After the incident, the school was closed to students, according to the outlet.
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While authorities said in their release that they are supporting the deceased man’s family, they did not reveal his identity.
Police are reviewing surveillance footage from the area and the man’s death is currently being treated as unexplained.
“The victim was seen at 1 a.m. this morning on Wheatsheaf Road, Wolverhampton and was then sighted on the school grounds at 7.15 a.m.,” the release read. “He was last seen wearing a distinctive camouflage jacket, grey gilet, jeans, and a beanie hat. He was also carrying a red rucksack and may have been wearing sunglasses.”
British News and Media/Alamy Live News
Police tape on the field at Smestow Academy in Wolverhampton on Jan. 19, 2026
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Poole, Homicide Unit, said that authorities were in “the early stages of our investigation, and I would ask that people do not speculate on the circumstances.”
“We know this has caused concern in the community and there will be extra officers in the area for reassurance,” he continued. “Anyone who may have seen the victim in the early hours of this morning is urged to get in touch with us.”
Smestow Academy also released a statement on their Facebook page.
"As you will be aware, Police told us to close school today because of an incident unconnected with Smestow Academy,” they wrote. “As reported on Wolverhampton Police’s facebook page, a body was found at the edge of the grounds and ‘enquiries are now underway to confirm the man’s identity and the circumstances around his death.’”
"Police asked us to close so they could make headway with their investigation,” they added.
The school confirmed that they’ve been given the all-clear to “open as usual” on Tuesday and said that they were providing students with “assemblies throughout the morning to reassure them.”
“If your child has been affected, they can speak with their Head of House who will be able to provide specialist support,” they concluded their statement.
PEOPLE has contacted the West Midlands Police and the Smestow Academy for further comment.
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Source: “AOL Breaking”
