Tributes Paid To Man Stabbed In Brentwood

30 September 2014, 13:11 | Updated: 30 September 2014, 13:17

The family of a man found stabbed in Brentwood have said he was "good, hard-working boy'' with no links to gang culture.

31 year old Francis Ntena Nsiangangu died after being stabbed at Tower Hill at about 7pm on Saturday.

He had been stabbed in the heart and suffered four other wounds.

Police are still investigating the motive for the attack but said there may be links to drug dealing.

Mr Nsiangangu, known as Casper, lived in the Brentwood area but was originally from east London.

His family insisted he was not linked to any gangs and had worked in Brentwood while completing a college course in painting and decorating.

His mother said in a statement: "Francis was the eldest of three sons and was a calm and a good boy. He was not a member of any gangs.

"His father has always regarded him as being not just a son but also a very good friend, and they always helped each other.

"We are devastated by what has happened because he was always such a good boy and so hard-working. We will miss him so much.

"His friends have sent us messages of sympathy and have described how they respected him not just as a close friend because he was more like a mentor to them.''

An 18-year-old man was arrested in Brentwood on Sunday and is being questioned by police.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hall, of Essex Police, said: "We are still investigating a motive for the attack on Francis, including possible links to drug dealing.

"But we are keeping an open mind and want to hear from anyone who has any information about his movements that afternoon and evening.

"We especially want to talk to anyone who was in the area of Tower Hill, Weald Road and Sir Francis Way between 7pm and 7.15pm on Saturday.

"We are also asking residents in Tower Hill and Weald Road to check their front and rear gardens for a weapon or any other discarded items.''