A man with two children thought to have been stabbed to death in Chelmsford earlier this week had been living in Colchester

Ladimeji Benson, aged 27, was from the county city where he was attacked in an altercation in Baddow Road on November 10.

He was taken to Broomfield Hospital where he died of his injuries and police later launched a murder investigation.

Today a tribute was released through Essex Police from Mr Benson’s family and girlfriend.

It said: “Ladi was a special person with a beautiful heart.

“He touched the lives of so many and could cheer up anyone with his amazing infectious smile.

“The hundreds of tributes show how widely and deeply loved he was. Family and friends have travelled from around the globe to pay their respects.

“Ladi was a wonderful father to his baby daughter and step-son, and a loving partner, son and brother.

“He was taken from us too soon and we are all left with a huge hole in our hearts.

“Our lives will never be the same without him.

“We will never see that cheeky grin again and his daughter will never know the father she adored.

“She had almost learned to say the word ‘Dada’, but now her Dada will only be a photo or a story.

“His death is truly a tragedy.

“Someone out there knows who is responsible for taking our precious Ladi away from us.

“If you know anything, please look into your heart and conscience and contact police with any information.”

A post-mortem examination gave the provisional cause of death as blood loss caused by a stab wound to the chest.