The heartbroken family of a father-of-five who was killed near Ipswich railway station have paid tribute to him.
Dean Stansby, 41 and from Trimley, died after being stabbed in Ancaster Road in Ipswich on February 8.
Police launched a murder probe in the wake of his death which is still ongoing.
His brother Paul Stansby, who worked with him at the Lucky 13 tattoo studio in St Margaret’s Street, said Dean – who had just become a grandfather and had another grandchild on the way – was “larger than life”.
“I miss him a lot, we all do,” he said.
“He had an eccentric personality and was always laughing and smiling. I’m not saying he was perfect, he was annoying at times, but he was my annoying brother, you know.
“He was larger than life and had the biggest heart, it is so hard that he has gone and in the way that he has. We would like to ask anyone who knows anything to call police. We are hurting and want answers.”
Floral tributes left to 41-year-old Dean in the days after his death have now been removed from the scene as roadworks get underway in Ranelagh Road.
The flowers, laid with the help of Dean’s sons Connor, 22, Jez, 17, Jack, 13 and Rocky, five, his daughter Charlie, 20, mother Lorraine and stepfather Shaun Warren are now outside the tattoo studio.
Dean’s first grandchild Marley turns one in March and Charlie is pregnant – but the 41-year-old will now never get to meet his second grandchild.
A crowdfunding campaign set up in the wake of Dean’s death has collected hundreds of pounds in just a few days.
Sarah Brundell, a customer at the tattoo parlour, said she wants to raise funds for Dean’s children – and Paul says he is very much behind it.
Ms Brundell said: “It’s just something I wanted to do to help. Dean won’t be able to see his children and grandchildren grow up.”
A 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder after the stabbing in Ancaster Road, which happened at around 6pm on February 8 has been bailed until April.
A second, 39-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of murder after the incident.
Anyone with information should call Suffolk police on 101.
Click here to donate to the crowdfunding page.
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