A MURDER investigation has been launched after a university student from Suffolk was stabbed to death in his own home.

A MURDER investigation has been launched after a university student from Suffolk was stabbed to death in his own home.

The body of Matthew James Pyke, from Stowmarket, was found by ambulance crews in his flat above a Nottingham city centre bar on Friday evening.

The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire police said forensic experts were examining the scene while detectives were carrying out house to house enquiries.

It is believed Mr Pyke was just about to embark on his first year at Nottingham Trent University student and was killed in his flat in North Sherwood Street above the Orange Tree pub, a venue particularly popular with the city's large student population.

Police were called shortly after 6pm.

A police spokesman said: “On their arrival, they found the man already dead in the flat.”

A postmortem examination at Leicester Royal Infirmary revealed that Mr Pyke died from stab wounds.

Detectives believe that Mr Pyke's killer or killers would have been heavily blood-stained following the murder and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

His devastated parents left a message on Mr Pyke's Facebook site which read: “Darling Matthew. We love you so much and miss you. You were a truly good, sensitive person. Your smile will live on in our hearts.”

Another tribute came from Andy from Ipswich who said: “This guy was one of my best friends at school.

“He was a great and very intelligent guy with no enemies, a wicked sense of humour, and friends who loved him.

“RIP Matt.”

Mr Pyke's body was not removed from the flat until Saturday afternoon.

Ben Hings, managing director of The Orange Tree Group, which runs The Orange Tree pub, said: “It's obviously shocking to hear about an incident like this happening nearby.

“The Orange Tree owns the building, but the flats above are on a 999-year lease to someone else. They have a completely separate entrance to the pub and are self-contained.”

One man, who asked not to be named, said he saw two forensic officers taking the body from a flat above the Orange Tree pub.

The 74-year-old said: “I saw them bring a body down and the whole area was cordoned off. I was in the canteen [at The Nottingham Mechanics' Institute] when one of the lads saw it and shouted over.

“I saw two guys bringing the body down the outside of the building in a bag. I was just shocked to see it all.”

Anyone with information which could assist the inquiry is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 0115 9670999 or the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.