A serving detective for West Midlands Police tragically died from horror thermal burn injuries in the back of a parked car in Birmingham, an inquest found.
The body of Det Con Tayyab Malik was discovered in a Volkswagen Polo on the driveway of his home on Yardley Wood Road, in Billesley, on February 24.
The 35-year-old had doused himself with a flammable liquid and ignited it in the Billesley Common area, a Birmingham coroner found. The officer then made his way home and tried unsuccessfully to gain entry to the property before getting into his vehicle from the rear.
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Det Con Malik was later discovered unresponsive by a neighbour and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination found his death to be from thermal burn injuries.
The inquest found he had experienced difficulties in his personal life since July last year.
Digital examination of his phone found he had researched ways to end his life. While an unsent note also indicated his intentions, the inquest found.
He had struggled in the past with his mental health, but was not known to mental health services. The coroner’s conclusion was given as suicide.
Adam Hodson, the Area Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, said in summary: “On February 24, Tayyab was pronounced deceased by officers from West Midlands Police at 2:26pm after being discovered unresponsive by a neighbour in the rear of his car outside of his property.
Police at the scene on Yardley Wood Road on Tuesday, February 24 -Credit:Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live
“An investigation revealed that Tayyab had left his home at 1:21am on 24 February and travelled toward Billesley Common, entering via the pedestrian access opposite the junction of Bondfield Road.
“Whilst on the common, it appears he doused himself with a flammable liquid and ignited the same.
“At 2:09am, he was observed returning to the home address on foot where he spent several minutes attempting to gain entry through the front door before entering the rear of his vehicle parked on the driveway at 2:21am, where he died.
“Post-mortem investigations revealed he had died due to thermal burn injuries.
“Digital examination of his phone revealed he had researched ways to end his life, as well as an unsent note indicating his intentions.
“Tayyab had experienced difficulties in his personal life since July 2025 at which time he had sought assistance from a private counsellor.
“He had previously experienced difficulties at work, but these do no appear to have influenced or contributed to his actions on 24 February.
Floral tributes at scene on Yardley Wood Road -Credit:BirminghamLive
“Tayyab had struggled in the past with his mental health, but was not known to mental health services at the time of his death.”
In a statement, issued via police to BirminghamLive at the time, his family said: “We are heartbroken by the loss of Tayyab Malik, a dedicated serving police officer and a beloved son, husband, brother, friend and nephew.
“There are no words to describe the depth of our loss. He will be missed more than words can express and will always remain in our hearts. May he rest in peace.”