Daughter 'heartbroken' after father fatally stabbed in street confrontation

The daughter of a man killed after a confrontation with a group of youths has said she is "heartbroken" at his death.

Darren Kelly, 42, from Basildon, Essex, was stabbed to death on Tuesday night.

In a statement released through Essex Police, his daughter Zoe said: "No one ever wants to hear the news that a family member has died, let alone to be told that they were murdered.

"I loved my dad very much, we were very close and he only lived a short walk away from me. I last saw him on Tuesday morning when he took me to work.

"I'm heartbroken and to know he's not going to be round the corner any more is very hard.

"I miss him so much already and it still doesn't feel real, but I hope that wherever he is now he's at peace.

"I'm sure I can speak for everyone when I say that he's going to be truly missed."

A 20-year-old man, 17-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl, all from Pitsea, and a 16-year-old boy from Basildon have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody, Essex Police said.

This morning, police confirmed a fifth person, a 13-year-old girl from Basildon, has also been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Werrett of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, who is leading the inquiry, said: "I would appeal for anyone who saw the attack to contact my team. This happened in a residential area so people would have been about."

Anyone with information about events leading to the murder is asked to contact detectives at Essex Police on 101, send an email to scdappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.