A family have paid tribute to a "much loved husband, father, son and brother" who died from serious injuries in a suspected murder.

Police were called by the ambulance service to an address in Nelson Grove, Chelmsford, shortly after 4.30am on Monday.

Officers arrived at the property, to the west of the city centre, to discover a man had been seriously injured.

He was treated by paramedics, but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Adrian Ellingford, who was 44 years old, has been named as the man who died following the incident.

Marek Hecko, 25, of Rookes Crescent, Chelmsford, has subsequently been charged with murder.

East Anglian Daily Times: A man has been charged with murder after a man died in ChelmsfordA man has been charged with murder after a man died in Chelmsford (Image: Essex Police)

He appeared before Colchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

In a statement, Mr Ellingford's family said they were in shock after the "sudden and devastating loss".

The family said: “Our hearts are broken.

“Adrian is, and always will be, a much loved husband, father, son and brother.

“He has been taken from his family and friends far too soon.

“While we try to come to terms with our sudden and devastating loss, we as the family ask for privacy at this extremely difficult time.”

Speaking on Monday, Chief Inspector Steve Scott-Haynes, Chelmsford District Commander at Essex Police, said: "This will understandably cause a great deal of concern among our community who are waking up to this news.

"The investigation is being led by detectives from the Serious Crime Directorate and you can expect a significant policing presence in the area today from detectives and uniformed officers.

"If you feel you need to speak to them, please do, they are there to help and reassure you."

Anyone who has any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to the incident is asked to contact Essex Police, quoting crime reference number 42/194983/22.