The family of murdered Clarence ‘Clay’ Edwards have paid tribute to the ‘tragic’ stabbing victim who was knifed outside a Manchester nightclub on Sunday.
Family members took to Twitter and Facebook to share their memories and express their ‘shock’ at the father-of-one’s death.
Emergancy services were called to Charles Street at around 3.25am following a disturbance between a group of people outside R Base nightclub. The 26-year-old was rushed to hospital but died shortly after.
Police arrested a second man in connection with the murder yesterday and are now appealing to the public for information.
Family member Kemoy Walker took to Facebook to thank the community for their support. He wrote: “The family would like to thank you all for your positive messages and support at this difficult time.
“You guys have been instrumental in helping the family and positing great memories. As a community we need to get together to celebrate Clay’s life properly, we need to be strong and we need to be there for each other.”
A memorial and fundraiser is being held for Edwards at the Big Western in Moss Side on Sunday January 11.
“We would like to invite friends and the massive family Clarence have to come and share memories and support each other at this time,” Kemoy wrote.
Twitter was also used for people to pay their respects.
Photo: Rest in Peace Cousin Clarence – in serious shock, one of the great memories I can share is… http://t.co/VsutivcjIl
— Lord Kemoy Walker (@kemoywalker) January 4, 2015
R.i.p ma cuz clarence edwards Lord knows how am feeling right now
— Struggles lifestyle (@TalgreazyRPM) January 4, 2015
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Crewe said: “This is a very complex investigation with a number of different strands we are looking at.
“Our focus remains on building up an accurate picture of what happened both inside the club and afterwards which ultimately led to Clarence’s tragic death.
“As we have already said, we know there will be a lot of rumour and speculation about what happened and why but such gossip will not solve this appalling crime.
“What we need are people to come forward to us with information which we can then use to establish the exact circumstances leading to a young man losing his life.”
Clubbers who attended the R Base nightclub are being urged by police to come forward with any information they may have.
“There would have been a lot of people who attended that club on the night Clarence died and they undoubtedly will have vital information for us,” DCI Crewe added.
“I would urge those people to please speak to us about what happened. At the end of the day, a young man has lost his life and if this was your loved one – a brother or a cousin or even a best friend – you want answers so please, if you do know something, do the right thing and come and speak to us, in complete confidence if necessary.”
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call police on 0161 856 9708 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
