A father who was stabbed to death in a knife fight that left two other men seriously injured has been named.
Darren MacCormick died after suffering multiple injuries during the altercation on the Mendip Heights estate in Didcot, Oxfordshire, in the early hours of the morning.
Police officers were called to the scene at 3.46am and three men were taken to hospital.
But Mr MacCormick, who was in his 40s, later died from his injuries.
Officers were called to Mendip Heights estate in Didcot, Oxfordshire, at 3.46 this morning. Pictured: Forensic officers erected a cordon to gather evidence at the scene
Many friends have already paid tribute to him on social media including Johnny Dobson who wrote: ‘I’m in shock. RIP Darren Maccormick. I am totally lost for words. I only spoke to you the other day.’
His next of kin have been informed and are currently being supported by specially trained officers.
Earlier in the day detectives from Thames Valley Police Major Crime Team confirmed that they had launched a murder investigation.
Two other men, one in 30s and the other in his 20s, who were also injured are said to be in a ‘serious’ but stable condition in hospital.
No arrests have been made so far.
Forensic officers erected a cordon to gather evidence at the scene including a knife that was found on the ground at a nearby railway bridge.
Detectives from Thames Valley Police Major Crime Team have since confirmed that one man in his 40s had died as a result of his injuries and two others have been severely injured. Pictured: A knife found on the ground at a nearby railway bridge
A neighbour living in Mendip Heights, Didcot, predicted that the murder of the ‘popular’ man was likely to lead to further violence in the area.
The man, who did not want to be named, said: ‘We used to call him Dizzy, that was his nickname. I went for a couple of pints with him. He was a pretty popular guy around here.
‘I have been talking to a few people today and they are not happy. All of these guys had families, they are not going to let this lie.
‘This place is quiet now and it will die down for a few weeks but it will heat up around here after that. It’s the kind of place where you keep yourself to yourself.’
A house next to the gates of the Vauxhall Army barracks in Didcot was being searched by forensic teams this afternoon.
Mervyn Rose, who lives nearby, said that police had put up a cordon outside three houses in the area at about 10am – several hours after the first cordons were set up in Mendip Heights.
The 69-year-old onlooker said: ‘I woke up at about one o’clock in the morning, if not a bit later and heard knocking on that door.
‘I looked out of the window and saw a woman thumping on the white door, trying to get in. She had a white t-shirt and dark bottoms on.
‘A light went on and a bloke came to the window upstairs but he did not open the door.
‘He must have seen it was her and did not want her in there. She mumbled something and then she walked away.’
Mr Rose said the woman had walked away in the direction of Mendip Heights which is just several hundred yards away.
No arrests have been made so far and Thames Valley Police is now appealing for witnesses to come forward to help with its investigation. Pictured: Police on the scene earlier today
Thames Valley Police is now appealing for witnesses to come forward to help with its investigation.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Blaik said: ‘This is a tragic incident in which a person has lost their life after being attacked with a knife.
‘This murder will shock the local community but I want to reassure residents that we are carrying out a thorough investigation and we are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice.
‘Mendip Heights is currently closed as we carrying out vital forensic examinations at the scene and conduct house to house enquiries in the area.
‘I would like to thank residents for their ongoing cooperation and patience.
‘I am appealing to the public to come forward and help our investigation.
‘If you have any information about this incident and haven’t already spoken to the police please leave your information on our website, call 101 or speak to an officers at the scene.
‘Please quote investigation reference number 107 (9/1).
‘If you have any CCTV, dash cam or mobile phone footage, or have heard something about the incident, even if you think it is speculation then we want to hear from you.’