FLOWERS, balloons and candles have been left at a makeshift shrine in memory of a 50-year-old who was stabbed in Castle Bromwich.
Kelvin Ward was found stabbed on Chester Road on April 18 at around 8.15pm.
On Monday evening a vigil was held in Chester Road for the 50-year-old.
Hundreds of people turned out alongside his family and friends and lit candles in his memory.
Leading the tributes, his family said: “We would like to thank everyone for their loving messages and support at this very sad time. Kelvin was a loving partner, father, son, brother and friend to many. He was very well loved, vibrant, full of life and will be greatly missed.”
A fundraising page set up to help cover the cost of his funeral has seen almost £10,000 donated in just four days.
On the Go Fund Me page, a message from his partner Tammy reads: “Kelvin was my soul mate. We were supposed to grow old together and had plans to live our lives.
“He would say ‘it’s our time now’. His life wasn’t supposed to end like this. This is not the way our story was supposed to end.
“He was very much looking forward to one day being a grandad and always happily spoke about it on a daily basis, as well as someday walking his daughters down the aisle.”
Floral tributes have been left on Chester Road following the news of his death.
One message left by Lisa and Matt read: “Devastated that I won’t ever see that big smile again! Thinking of your family.”
Another read: “Kelvin RIP a true gentleman such sad sad news another taken away too soon! Fly High – Jodie and Craig.”
Two people have been charged with murder.
A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded to a youth detention centre following a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on April 25.
Leighton Williams, 28, from North Roundhay in Stechford, was remanded in custody following a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on April 25.
The case is next listed for hearing at the court on May 30.
Click here to donate to the funeral fund.
Anyone with information should contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat on their website, call 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and quote log 4840 of April 18.
