Everything we know as dad 'knifed to death over flashy gold Rolex'
A murder probe has been launched after a man was stabbed to death in front of his partner in a high-end area of London.
Dad-of-two Blue Stevens was just 24 years old. He tried to fend off an armed mugger who was trying to grab his gold Rolex watch, but he tragically paid with his life. Here's everything we know so far:
What happened to Blue?
Blue and his partner had been out for dinner and were heading back to their car when he was targeted for his flashy watch at around 9.30pm on Wednesday.
They were outside the £420-per-night Park Tower Hotel and Casino in Knightsbridge, London, directly across the road from the Harvey Nichols department store.
It is not clear what happened next, or if the mugger got away with the watch, but Blue was stabbed in the street. His partner was heard screaming 'Oh my God' again and again, according to tourists who saw the commotion.
He was given first aid, but despite the best efforts of emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance, Blue died at the scene.
What do we know about the knifeman?
No description of the attacker has been released. Eyewitnesses say he was wearing a mask and riding either an e-scooter or a bike, and he rode away from the scene. It is not clear if he got away with the Rolex or if the murder weapon was left at the scene or taken.
What have the Met Police said?
The Met Police launched a murder investigation following the stabbing. The force said it was called at 9.24pm to "reports from the members of the public of a stabbing".
Officers attended the scene where they found a 24-year-old man who had been stabbed. A crime scene was secured and a forensic tent was erected outside the casino.
The force said Blue's next of kin were notified and were being supported by specialist officers. No arrests have been made.
Superintendent Owen Renowden, who leads policing in Kensington and Chelsea, said: 'Our thoughts are with the victim's loved ones following the shocking events that took place last night.
"Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command, supported by local officers, are working at pace to establish the circumstances of what happened. We are aware of reports that this incident was a robbery.
"Although this is an active line of enquiry, we are keeping an open mind about all possible motives and the exact circumstances are still to be determined.
"We understand the impact this incident will have on the local community and you will see extra officers in the area to help answer any questions or concerns."
What has Blue's family said?
Blue's mum Charlie Sheridan shared a heartbreaking tribute - saying she "can't stop crying" and "can't breathe" after the tragedy.
She posted an image on Facebook with the quote: "Everyone in your life will have a last day with you, and you won't even know when it will be. Cherish them before it's too late." She captioned the post: "Please. I want him back."
Charlie told The Sun: "He lit up my heart every time I laid eyes on him. My only son. I lived for him." She added: "I can't stop crying. I can't breathe."
Friends said Blue, from Hampshire, loved buying the 'sparkliest' watches. He was recently pictured on social media wearing a Datejust 36mm oystersteel and gold Rolex, which is worth £12,250.
What did witnesses see?
One witness, who worked at a nearby luxury hotel close to the scene, said he was working when the incident took place. He told the Mail: "My secretary told me a masked man tried to rob his watch. It was a couple. But the guy pulled out his hand and he took out his knife and stabbed him.
"The couple were walking along the pavement and he tried to fight back but the guy took the knife and stabbed him in the chest. The police chased the guy but I don't think they caught him.
"I saw a little bit of the CCTV. I saw the man lying out on the pavement, a woman was supporting him and crying. There was a lot of blood. He was wearing a white or cream coloured t-shirt. He was unconscious."
Some witnesses say the killer was on an electric scooter but others say he was on a bike. Tourists and hotel guests in the area have said they are fleeing the capital due to safety fears.
A Japanese tourist told reporters: "A woman who looked like she was with the injured man was screaming 'Oh my God' again and again... She was very very agitated, it was horrible for us to see. We can't get the incident out of our heads. We didn't sleep last night."
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