03/03/00 - 'Please help catch son's killer'
By Essex Evening Echo
The devastated parents of murdered Daniel Davis today made an emotional appeal for information to help find their son's killer.
Divorced Roy and Christine Davis made the distraught plea for information which will allow them to finally lay their precious son to rest. Daniel, known to his friends and family as Danny or Stretch - because of his slim 6ft build, died ten hours after being stabbed once in the buttock.
The incident outside the Barge pub, in Clay Hill Road, Vange, almost two weeks ago has left the family numb - and a four-year-old child without his father. Mrs Davis, 52, of Norfolk, said: "Danny was totally devoted to his son. Although they did not live together he was in constant contact."Danny was softhearted and really loved him - he would kiss his photograph each night. The toddler just keeps crying and saying his dad is in heaven."
Danny, 24, had lived with his girlfriend in Waldegrave, Basildon, for ten months. The whole family, including Danny's two sisters, from Eastwood and Corringham, and brother from Wickford, have pulled together to help each other through the tragedy.
Mr Davis, 54, has urged anyone who even knew his son to get in touch with police. He said: "We desperately want people with any information about what happened on the night, or in the days leading up to it, to come forward. "Anyone who knew him or knew anything at all, please contact the police.
"It is the public who will lead us to the person who did this and see they are brought to justice. "Until then we cannot do the decent thing for Danny and lay him to rest." Coroners will not release Danny's body until the murder investigation has moved on.
Mrs Davis said: "I am absolutely devastated. This has ruined all our lives. Nothing will be the same again. "I just want him back. I love him and miss him. It is so hard to say goodbye to my son."
