THIS is the face of Stowmarket student Matthew Pyke who was brutally stabbed to death in his home.

THIS is the face of Stowmarket student Matthew Pyke who was brutally stabbed to death in his home.

The first picture released by detectives probing his death shows the 20-year-old who was about to embark on a new chapter in his young life when he was murdered in Nottingham last week.

The ex-Stowmarket High student had lived in the city for two years with girlfriend Joanna Witton and was due to start a degree course at Nottingham Trent University next month.

Mr Pyke was popular within the gaming community, where he and Miss Witton were understood to have been co-administrators of a website dedicated to fans of the computer fantasy game Advance Wars.

One poster wrote: “We all loved him for his hilarious comics, his fantastic writing, and most of all his absolutely amazing company.”

When asked about Mr Pyke's links with the gaming world, a spokesman for Nottinghamshire police said: “We are looking into all aspects of Matthew's life and that includes computer-based inquiries.”

Det Ch Insp Tony Heydon, who is leading the investigation, believes Mr Pyke may have known his killer and added: “Matthew was a young man with his whole life ahead of him, and we are doing everything we can to catch the person responsible for his murder.”

More of Mr Pyke's friends have also sent messages through Facebook.

Chiraag Suchak, who was in the same class at Stowmarket Middle School, said: “He is someone that would never ever provoke anyone, so I have no idea why anyone would do this.”

The body of Mr Pyke, whose parents live in Chelsworth Way, Stowmarket, was discovered last Friday evening in his flat in North Sherwood Street above the Orange Tree pub.

Anyone with information about Matthew's murder is asked to contact the incident room at West Bridgford Police Station on 0115 8446912 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Did you know Matthew Pyke? Would you like to pay tribute to him? Contact The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324840 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.