A man who was stabbed to death outside a five-star London hotel has been named as 24-year-old Blue Stevens.
The father, believed to be from Yateley in Surrey, was attacked outside the Park Tower Hotel and Casino in Knightsbridge on Wednesday evening. He died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services.
Mr Stevens had reportedly driven to the area in a white BMW and parked just 50 yards from where the fatal stabbing took place, the Metro reported. It is believed he was returning to his car when he was suddenly attacked.
Police are investigating whether the incident may have been a targeted robbery. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect try to steal a watch from his wrist. When he resisted, a violent struggle broke out, ending in tragedy.
Emergency crews were seen entering and leaving the hotel shortly after the attack. It remains unclear whether Mr Stevens had visited the casino prior to the incident.
Onlookers watched in horror as the stabbing unfolded in the busy area. Mr Stevens’s partner, who was with him at the time, returned to the scene on Thursday to leave a heartbreaking tribute among a growing number of floral tributes.
In a message left in a card, she wrote: “To My Blue. We are all absolutely devastated without you. You took a piece of my heart with you. A part of me has gone with you. I love you more than absolutely anyone in this world. My boy forever and always.”
His heartbroken mother, Charlie Sheridan, wrote on Facebook: "Please. I want him back."
The post was above a message reading: “Everyone in your life will have a last day with you, and you won’t even know when it will be. Cherish them before it’s too late.”
Friends gathered on Thursday to pay tribute to Mr Stevens.
One described him as the “best dad”. “He was always smiling, always happy. His children were his life. He had a boy and a girl,” the friend said.
Another said: “He was the best dad. He even helped me with my kids. Blue would come round and have random water fights with my kids.”
Another friend said he had a love for “the sparkliest” watches.
In a message on social media, Stevens's sister Jenna said: "Can't believe I'm even writing this but RIP my brother I love you with my whole heart always and forever. I don't know what we're all going to do without you. You always managed to make everyone smile or laugh, gave everything you had to us when we needed the most and now the only thing we all need now is you and we can't have it."
Emergency services were called at 9.24pm on Wednesday to Seville Road, where they found the victim with stab wounds.
He was treated by paramedics but died at the scene shortly after the emergency services arrived, the Met Police said.
Pictures from the scene show a tent erected on the road outside the luxury Park Tower Hotel and Casino.
Witnesses have said a masked man tried to rob the victim of his gold watch and knifed him in the chest as he attempted to fight back.
A person who works near the murder scene told MailOnline: “I was working there last night. My secretary told me a masked man tried to rob his watch. It was a couple. But the guy pulled out his hand and he took out his knife and stabbed him.
“The couple were walking along the pavement and he tried to fight back but the guy took the knife and stabbed him in the chest.
“The police chased the guy but I don't think they caught him. I saw a little bit of the CCTV. I saw the man lying out on the pavement, a woman was supporting him and crying. There was a lot of blood. He was wearing a white or cream coloured t-shirt. He was unconscious.”
A luxury hotel worker told The Standard: “I’ve been here four years and in all that time I’ve never seen a police officer. We have a lot of robberies and thefts around here and I’ve never seen a patrol. I think it’s disgraceful.
“It was only a matter of time that something happened.”
One person on X described a “bloody” scene and told how the emergency services had been holding up a white sheet while they worked.
A crime scene will be in place “for some time” while officers investigate, the Met said.
They said several lines of enquiry are ongoing but no arrests have been made yet.
The victim’s next-of-kin are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.
The murder happened in one of London’s most affluent areas, only yards from Harvey Nichols and close to Harrods.
It is not known whether the victim was connected to the casino or the hotel, where guests over the summer pay up to £1,400 a night.
Superintendent Owen Renowden, who leads policing in Kensington and Chelsea, said: “Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones following the shocking events that took place last night.
“Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command, supported by local officers, are working at pace to establish the circumstances of what happened.
“We are aware of reports that this incident was a robbery. Although this is an active line of enquiry, we are keeping an open mind about all possible motives and the exact circumstances are still to be determined.
“We understand the impact this incident will have on the local community and you will see extra officers in the area to help answer any questions or concerns.”
Cities of London and Westminster MP Rachel Blake said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim, as well as with the local residents that I represent.
“I have now been in touch with the relevant police forces to understand further details of the incident and will continue to keep in touch with them until a suspect is identified.
“I understand that this will be deeply distressing for residents and visitors to the Knightsbridge area. Please do reach out to me if you have any concerns at this time, and I will continue to monitor the news closely.”
London Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance both attended the scene on Wednesday evening and some paramedics were seen leaving the area at around 11pm.
It comes as the Met police gear up for a feared rise in crime over the coming weeks - with police stepping up patrols in crime-plagued areas of the capital.
On Wednesday, Sir Sadiq Khan announced a policing blitz on London’s 20 most blighted town centres for shoplifting, robbery, knife crime and anti-social behaviour.
His deputy mayor for policing and crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said: “Summer is one of the busiest times of the year for our police with a large number of people out and about and our high streets and town streets are bustling.
“But the safety of our town centres is not just about policing – it’s about building stronger, more connected communities where everyone feels secure.”
Police are asking witnesses or anyone with information to call 101 referencing CAD 8521/09JUL or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
