Southampton murder inquiry: Tribute paid to 'loving father'

Abraham Cilliers "would do anything to help others", his family said

A family has paid tribute to a "loving father" whose death following a cardiac arrest has led to a murder inquiry.

Abraham Cilliers, 48, of Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, died after a street altercation in Southampton on 22 December, police said.

Two men, aged 60 and 35 from Totton, are on bail on suspicion of murder while police inquiries continue.

Mr Cilliers' family said he was a "great friend who would do anything to help others".

In a statement issued by the police, the family said: "After a rough year, his life was looking up.

"He'd started a new job which he loved, was moving to a new home closer to work [and was] planning on new adventures with his daughter."

Mr Cilliers suffered a cardiac arrest following an incident at the junction of Oxford Street and Bernard Street at about 00:40 GMT.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said inquiries into the circumstances of the death were continuing.

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