Sunderland Echo

‘He was a devoted dad’

Heart broken family’ s tribute to murder victim as police vow to leave no stone unturned to find killer

- By Fiona Thompson fiona.thompson@jpimedia.co.uk Twitter: @fionathomp­son__

A man who died after he was stabbed inside a Washington flat was a devoted father, his family has said.

The body of Gavin Moon, 31, of Washington, was found at an address on Trafalgar Road in Sulgrave in the town shortly after 2pm on Tuesday.

Emergency services attended and found the victim had sustained a fatal stab wound.

A murder investigat­ion was subsequent­ly launched by detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiries Team (HMET) and inquiries are ongoing.

Gavin’s family yesterday paid tribute to him.

They said: “Gavin was a devoted dad to his children and a loving son.

“His unexpected loss has hit us hard.

“We would request that our privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time as we come to terms with Gavin’s death.”

Officers have spoken to a number of individual­s in connection with the investigat­ion and a 28-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

A 24-year-old man has been released with no further action to be taken.

Detective Chief Inspector John Bent, of Northumbri­a Police, said: “Our thoughts are with Gavin’s family at this incredibly difficult time, and specialist officers continue to offer them any support they need.

“We are committed to finding out the circumstan­ces behind Gavin’s death, and an experience­d team of detectives continue to map a chronology of events which ultimately led to this tragic incident.”

A cordon thrown around the street following the discovery of Gavin has since been scaled back by police.

Superinten­dent Paul Milner added: “My message to the community is one of reassuranc­e. Crimes of this type are not common in this area, and we will continue to leave no stone unturned in this investigat­ion.

“Deaths such as this have an inevitable impact on the local community, and an increased police presence will remain in the area as officers carry out enquiries and reassure members of the public.”

Police would like to thank those who have already come forward with informatio­n about the incident and would welcome anyone yet to do so to get in touch.

Investigat­ors said Gavin’s death was being treated as “unexplaine­d” as inquiries got under way.

Anyone with informatio­n should contact 101 quoting reference 489 080119 or Crimestopp­ers anonymousl­y on 0800 555 111.

“His unexpected loss has hit us hard”

GAVIN’S FAMILY

 ??  ?? Murder victim Gavin Moon.
Murder victim Gavin Moon.
 ??  ?? The body of Gavin Moon, inset, was found at an address on Trafalgar Road in Sulgrave, Washington.
The body of Gavin Moon, inset, was found at an address on Trafalgar Road in Sulgrave, Washington.
 ??  ?? Floral tributes left outside the flat in Trafalgar Road yesterday.
Floral tributes left outside the flat in Trafalgar Road yesterday.

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