Mourners ignored lockdown restrictions to pour onto the street and pay their respects to the 29-year-old man who was shot dead in a ‘gangland execution’ in the West Midlands.
Family and friends gathered in Bartley Green, south west Birmingham, to offer their farewell to Brian McIntosh, who was shot in the chest with his friend William Henry, 31, in Brierley Hill, near Dudley on September 30.
A white horse-drawn carriage and a hearse made their way through the street as loved ones followed close behind.
Mr McIntosh and Mr Henry, brother of MBE-winning West End star Matt Henry, were discovered in a Range Rover near a disused railway line in Dudley.
A post-mortem revealed they both died from gunshot wounds.
Family and friends walked along the street in Bartley Green, south west Birmingham, to pay their respects to Brian McIntosh, who was shot in the chest in Brierley Hill, near Dudley on September 30
Mourners walked behind a horse=drawn carriage and a hearse as they offered their farewell to the 29-year-old
Brian McIntosh and Will Henry (pictured together) were shot in the chest in Brierley Hill, near Dudley on September 30
Mr McIntosh ran a waste management firm in Birmingham called Mak Waste, which is based 11 miles away from Albion Works where the shooting took place.
He was described as a much-loved son, a devoted partner and a doting father to his two sons. He was also a loving brother to his three sisters and three brothers.
A tribute from his family earlier this year read: ‘He was loved dearly by his whole family – nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles and cousins.
‘There will be a big hole left in all of our hearts. As a family we are all absolutely devastated and heartbroken.’
Mr Henry’s brother Matt, 41, who has appeared in Saturday Night Fever, Avenue Q and Kinky Boots on stage in London, was said to be ‘devastated’ by the death.
In October, Mr Henry’s family described him as ‘the light of our lives’ and remembered him as a much-loved father, son, brother, uncle, partner and friend.
In a tribute, they said: ‘He was loving and caring and always thought of others before himself.
‘He was the light of our lives, his death has left a huge void in our lives.
Loved ones dressed in black poured onto the street for the funeral of Mr McIntosh who was shot dead in the West Midlands
Mourners gather for the funeral of Mr McIntosh who was described as a much-loved son, a devoted partner and a doting father to his two sons
As loved ones arrive for the funeral, a hearse carries flower tributes reading ‘cousin’ and ‘brother’
Brian McIntosh (left) and Will Henry (right), 31, were both shot in the chest in a ‘gangland-style’ execution in Brierley Hill
‘We would like to express our thanks to the kind words and love shown from extended family and friends.’
Last month detectives charged Jonathan Houseman and Richard Avery in connection with the fatal shootings.
Houseman, 32, is accused of two counts of murder and Avery, 33, is facing two charges of conspiracy to murder and perverting the course of justice.
West End star Matt Henry won the best actor in a musical award for Kinky Boots at the 2016 Olivier Awards at the Royal Opera House
Both men appeared before a judge at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday for a case management hearing.
They were remanded back into custody to appear for a plea hearing on November 27.
Houseman, formerly of Stourbridge, West Midlands, and Avery, of no fixed address, are due to stand trial back at the crown court before a High Court judge on June 9 2021.
The trial is expected to take up to four weeks.
Officers launched a murder probe after the men were discovered just before 3.30pm on September 30. It is thought the victims were killed shortly after 1pm.
A spokesman earlier said: ‘On arrival, crews discovered two male patients, both of whom were inside a car. It is believed they had been there for some time.
‘Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save either of them and they were confirmed dead at the scene.’
Residents living in the area around the Albion Works industrial estate said they heard nothing untoward that afternoon.
The site is fringed by another industrial park, a canal, a disused railway line and a footpath linking Moor Street to a nearby housing estate.
Following his death, the gates of Mr McIntosh’s large family home were covered in flowers as friends paid their respects to him.
West End star Matt Henry (far left) with his brother Will Henry (second left, circled), was shot dead in a Range Rover on an industrial state
An aerial view of the industrial estate at Brierley Hill in the West Midlands where the men were found
A police van blocking an entrance to Albion Works industrial estate in Brierley Hill last month
One friend had tied a pair of Reebok boxing gloves to the iron gates with each glove bearing a message for the deceased.
While one referred to sparring with Mr McIntosh, the other read: ‘To Will, RIP. Sorry you are gone. My thoughts are with you and your family.’
Another bunch of flowers contained a message reading: ‘Brian and Will, my heart is broken hearing the news of your passing. I will miss you both so much. Thank you for everything that you did for me. My heart is numb. RIP.’
‘He will be really missed,’ said one of those who had come to pay their respects.
Meanwhile at Mr Henry’s former first-floor flat in Weoley Castle, Birmingham, residents were shocked to hear of his murder.
One young man said: ‘He moved out a year ago now and I didn’t know him on a personal level but from what I saw of him as a neighbour he seemed a lovely bloke. I haven’t got a bad word to say about him.
‘He was down to earth, he’d always say hello, just a really friendly face and a great neighbour to have. I feel totally sad and stunned that he has been shot.’
Tributes were laid outside the gates of Mr McIntosh’s large family home following his death in September
One bunch of flowers outside Mr McIntosh’s home contained a message reading: ‘Brian and Will, my heart is broken hearing the news of your passing. I will miss you both so much.’
One friend tied a pair of Reebok boxing gloves to the iron gates with each glove bearing a message