Thornton Heath murder: Family pay tribute to father, 27, with fundraiser as police hunt assailant
The family of a man stabbed to death in south London have started a fundraiser for Michael Afonso.
The 27-year-old was found with knife injuries on Mayfield Crescent, Thornton Heath, at around 10.30pm on Tuesday.
Metropolitan Police officers attended with paramedics and London’s Air Ambulance and treated Mr Afonso at the scene but were unable to save him.
A murder investigation has started and the BBC has reported that "a group of men were involved and they drove off in his grey Vauxhall Grand X Elite".
His older cousin Ricardo Ferreira said Mr Afonso was married and had a young son.
He has started a Go Fund Me campaign to cover the £10,000 needed to transport his body back to his native Portugal where the family hope to bury him.
Mr Ferreira said: “Michael was sadly taken from us due to knife crime on December 19.
“[He was] devastatingly pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind his wife, young son and the rest of his family.
“As you can imagine his mum is absolutely heartbroken and with Christmas just around the corner it makes it 10 times harder.”
He added: “Michael's mother's wish is to get his body back home and lay him to rest in Portugal. I know everyone is struggling at the moment but we cannot do this without your help however big or small. Every little bit helps.”
As of noon on Saturday, Mr Ferreira had raised £2,750 towards the goal. There have been more than 100 donations.
The Met said on Friday that he was attacked by a "group of men". The suspects drove off in the car Michael had been travelling in, a grey Vauxhall Grand X Elite – registration DL19LVS - which has yet to be recovered, the foce said.
Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe said: “This was a violent attack which has caused devastation to Michael’s family and friends.
"While my team continues to work hard to establish the motive behind this attack, it does not appear that the theft of the car was the reason."
Mr Afonso’s death has launched the eleventh murder probe in Croydon of this year with the borough having London’s highest homicide rate.
Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry said the latest victim suffered “significant stab wounds”.
He added: “I am deeply saddened by this tragic incident and send my heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and friends as well as to all those in the local area who are affected by such terrible news.”
The Ferreira family have been approached for further comment.
