Jon Casey Northampton stabbing: Family tribute to 'loving father'

Jon Casey died after being stabbed in Barrack Road, Northampton

The family of a father-of-two "brutally" murdered in Northampton have paid tribute to his "humour, wit and fun nature".

Jon Casey, 35, of Ecton Brook, was found stabbed in Barrack Road, near the Lazeez Indian restaurant on Friday.

In a statement his family said he was "a kind and caring son, partner, brother and a loving father to his two girls".

"Words cannot express the feeling of sadness and loss," said the statement.

The family, who called him Jon Boy, said he "was the kind of person that could brighten your day in a second, his humour, wit and fun nature were loved by so many."

"To have him taken from us in such a cruel way will leave a hole in our family that we will never be able to fill. Our hearts are truly broken."

The family, who thanked hospital staff and the police, have urged anyone who has information "regardless of how small you think it might be, to please contact the police, as any piece of information could be vital to the investigation and to help a family find the answers that we are desperately searching for".

Mr Casey was found stabbed at 17:30 GMT. He was taken to hospital, but died almost an hour later.

He is thought to have been in the Semilong area of the town prior to the incident.

On Monday, Det Insp Brayfield, from the East Midlands Specialist Operations Unit Major Crime Team, said police believed an argument had started in Hester Street, before moving into Barrack Road.

Police carried out "extensive searches" over the weekend, including at a house in Hester Street, following what detectives have called the "brutal and ultimately fatal attack".