A murder investigation was under way today after a man was fatally stabbed in broad daylight in London’s sixth killing in just five days.
The 40-year-old victim died in hospital after a fight broke out in the street in Battersea at 2.45pm yesterday.
Paramedics and police are understood to have found him with multiple stab injuries.
A friend today said: “He was a big man, with a family. What happened is terrible.” Another friend said: “He was just a great guy. He was fun to be around and never any trouble.”
Forensic science experts searched for evidence after the murder scene was sealed off on an estate near Latchmere Leisure Centre and a nursery.
It is less than a mile from Prince George’s school, Thomas’s Battersea, and Battersea Park, where houses sell for more than £1.2 million.
Margaret Imade, 56, said: “There were so many police and flashing lights. More needs to be done to get the knives off the streets.” A neighbour said: “I have just come back from holiday and been following the news about stabbings. I wasn’t surprised at all, which is a shame.”
The victim is the 67th person to be killed in London this year. Kelly Mary Fauvrelle, 26, who was eight months pregnant, was stabbed to death in Croydon in the early hours of Saturday.
Her baby son Riley, who had to be rescued from her womb by medics, died in hospital yesterday. His death is now being treated as homicide. Fuad Habib, 29, was stabbed to death in East Ham on Saturday night, and Amara Toure, 18, was fatally knifed in Southwark in the early hours of Sunday.
Reggae musician Ian Taylor, 54, died following a fight in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, at about 6pm on Saturday.
Three men, aged 62, 64 and 66, were arrested on suspicion of murder and later released under investigation.
The police watchdog is investigating because Mr Taylor, who was known as Fluximus, had been arrested before being taken to hospital.
Today, his fiancée Veronica Morrison demanded answers over his death, which came months before the pair were due to marry.
Ms Morrison, who had a 21-year relationship with Mr Taylor, said: “From this day I am going to make sure we get answers. His death was preventable, I’ve lost everything.”
Scotland Yard said murder squad detectives were investigating. A spokesman for the IOPC confirmed a probe into Mr Taylor’s death was under way.
Additional reporting by Magda Ibrahim and Anthony France.
