‘Big friendly giant’, 29, stabbed to death on road where BBC presenter Jill Dando murdered after blazing street row
A MAN who was stabbed to death on the same road where BBC presenter Jill Dando was killed has been remembered as a “big friendly giant”.
Police today launched a murder investigation after rushing to the street in Fulham after reports of a fight in South West London just after midnight.
The six foot seven victim, today named locally as Nathaniel or “Big Friendly Giant”, was found at the scene with stab wounds.
Members of the public and paramedics spending 29 minutes desperately trying to save his life but he tragically died at the scene at the Gowan Avenue junction with Munster Road.
CCTV has since emerged showing the moments before the stabbing, with there appearing to be a blazing row between several men overnight.
The 29-year-old’s death marks the 18th stabbing death in Britain in 26 days.
It comes 20 years on from when BBC presenter Jill Dando was shot dead on the doorstep of her home.
Jill, from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, was an English journalist, television presenter and newsreader and one of the best-known faces on British television.
From 1995 until she died she was the presenter of BBC’s Crimewatch and in 1997 she was awarded the BBC Personality of the Year.
The case has remained unsolved amid speculation this was a “professional” hit.
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Today, detectives have today launched a murder investigation into the stabbing murder of the 29-year-old man.
A friend, who gave his name as George, 30, said he went to Southampton University with Nathaniel, who then moved back to the area to find work.
Speaking near the victim’s home, he said: “We don’t know how this happened.
“He’s got a lot of friends who live local to here. He was well-known in the local area.
“Everyone in the area would have know him from basketball.”
Nathaniel went to Hurlingham School, in Fulham, then Kingston College before studying engineering at university, George said.
He added: “He was super friendly, a BFG. He looked super scary – six foot seven, big beard – but super friendly. It would shock you how friendly he was.”
A friend also paid tribute to the latest victim of Britain’s knife crime, saying: “It’s still processing, he was a good guy, he was a big man, 29, you don’t do silly things like this, knife crimes.”
The friend, who asked not to be named, said he was not aware of similar violent incidents in the largely quiet residential area but added: “There might have been a stabbing in this area, don’t get me wrong, but they are normally with kids, not people our age.
“Even if there was a little problem it should not have led to this.”
Neighbours said they had heard an argument in the moments before the stabbing.
Even if there was a little problem it should not have led to this
Friend of victim
One said: “I heard an argument but not very loud screams, not a violent argument, no tussling and then they just wandered off.
“I heard no screams at all, you expect a fight and a scream but there was not really any of that, just loud voices.”
DCI Glen Lloyd, leading the investigation, said; “This murder investigation continues apace. Police work at the crime scene is ongoing. Active enquiries are in hand.
“We are appealing for information from those who were out and about in the area at the time of the attack and saw anything of note. My team is particularly keen to trace a light skinned black male, approximately 6ft tall who was seen near the scene at the time of the incident.”
The victim’s next of kin have been informed.
No arrests have been made.
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The stabbing comes as London has been gripped by knife crime across the capital.
Figures from London’s Metropolitan police showed that knife crime surged by 16 per cent in the capital year-on-year in 2018.
Forty-two people have been stabbed to death across the country so far this year — including 12 in just two weeks.
Those with information that can assist police should call 101 ref 179/16 March.