Tributes paid to 'protective and loving' teenager stabbed to death on New Year's Day in Milton Keynes

Jay Fathers, the 18-year-old who died from a stab wound hours into New Year's Day, was a young man with a 'heart full of gold', say his family.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jan 2021, 06:00 BST
Updated 4th Jan 2021, 08:50 BST
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Jay was rushed to Milton Keynes hospital but sadly, despite the best efforts of doctors, died just hours into the New Year.

Poignantly, his last post on social media, where used the name Jay Cunningham, was a photo in November of a newly-inked tattoo on an arm. It stated: "The biggest difference between money and time: You always know how much money you have, but you never know how much time you have."

Police officers were called to reports of an altercation in Walshs Manor on Stantonbury just before 3am on Friday, January 1, and found two men with serious injuries.

Victim Jay Fathers. Photo: GofundmeVictim Jay Fathers. Photo: Gofundme
Victim Jay Fathers. Photo: Gofundme

Sadly, Jay - who is also known on social media as Jay Cunningham - died shortly afterwards in hospital, despite the best efforts of medical professional.

The other man, who is 49, remains in a stable condition with "serious" injuries, say police.

A 21-year-old man, Callum Aylett, who lives in Walshs Manor, was yesterday charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder. He will appear in Milton Keynes Magistrates Court today (Monday).

Meanwhile a friend has set up a fundraising page to raise £2,000 to pay for Jay's funeral, saying the money will "give our Jay the send off he deserves".

Poignant: This was Jay's last post on social media, seven weeks before he diedPoignant: This was Jay's last post on social media, seven weeks before he died
Poignant: This was Jay's last post on social media, seven weeks before he died

She added: “Words can't describe how we all feel right now taken far to young such loving son, brother and uncle.”

You can make a donation hereOther friends and family members of Jay are campaigning against knife crime, sharing a photo of him with the words #justiceforjay and #puttheknivesdown

The former Hollister worker, who lived in MK, has been described by his sister Holly on social media as "the best brother, so protective."

She wrote: "You were there for me when I needed you. So loving and absolutely hilarious you made me the happiest. I miss you so much my little boy, it's killing me...You had a heart full of gold I can't put it into words how much I miss you and love you. This pain is a constant pain that isn't ever going to go away."

Family and friends are already campaigning for people to put knives downFamily and friends are already campaigning for people to put knives down
Family and friends are already campaigning for people to put knives down

Police are continuing with their investigations and have extended their sympathies to Jay's family.

Detective Chief Insp Andy Howard from Thames Valley Police said: “We are continuing the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jay’s death and I would appeal to anybody who has any information that can assist this investigation to please contact police on 101 or online.

“You can also report 100 per cent anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Related topics:PoliceMilton Keynes