The mother of a 21-year-old man murdered in Eastcote over the weekend has pleaded for help to find her son's killer, as mourners laid flowers at the scene of the crime.
Tracey Hanson, mother of Josh, paid tribute to her son after he was tragically killed in the RE bar, in Field End Road, in the early hours of Sunday (October 11) morning.
She said: "Josh was a son that any mother would wish for.
"He was a hard-working man who provided for his family. He was also carving out a promising career for himself. He had already made plans to see more of the world next year.
"He was always smiling and laughing, he made everyone laugh with his upbeat approach to life.
"For all those who met him they only had good things to say and this is being reflected in the offers of condolence to myself, his friends and family.
"Please, if you know anything, come forward and tell the police who committed this horrific murder and inform them of their whereabouts."
A murder investigation was launched following Josh's death and detectives continue to appeal for witnesses and information.
Police were called at around 1.10am on Sunday to the RE bar in Field End Road, in Eastcote, Hillingdon, to reports of a man stabbed.
Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found Josh suffering a serious wound to the neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place at Uxbridge Mortuary on Tuesday (October 13).
Josh lived with his mum in Kingsbury. He had a girlfriend and worked as a roads planner at Stanmore Quality Surfacing (SQS) near Brent Cross.
Colleagues and friends mourning his loss could be seen leaving flowers and paying their respects at the cordoned-off crime scene on Monday (October 12).
UPDATE: Police chief assures public murder was not 'gang-related'
Nearby shop owners on the high street are still in shock after the incident.
A shop assistant at Shopper's Stop told getwestlondon: "We didn't see anything as we closed at 6pm.
"It was a shock to come back today and see this."
Another shop assistant, of Anything Goes!, was shocked this had happened in Eastcote and expressed deep sympathy for Josh's family.
She said: "We don't have this in Eastcote, it's completely shocking.
"We get shoplifters from time-to-time but not stabbings and killings.
"I just feel so sorry for his family, he was so young.
"On a Saturday night as well, when usually you get dressed up and look forward to going out and, for that to happen... it's just so shocking."
Shops along Field End Road, either side of RE Bar, were closed until Monday morning as they were blocked by the police cordon.
At this stage, it is believed Josh had visited the bar on Saturday evening with friends and his girlfriend.
He was approached by a man, who he did not know, police said, and stabbed once in the neck in an unprovoked attack that lasted just seconds.
Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "I am appealing to anyone who was in the RE bar between midnight and the time of the incident, just after 1am, to contact us.
"There were 30-40 people in the bar at the time, many of whom left the venue as paramedics worked to save Josh's life. It is imperative these people contact us to let us know what they saw.
"We are also keen to hear from anyone who was in Field End Road area around 1am Sunday morning who may have seen or heard anything that they now think might be because of the incident at the RE bar.
"I would also appeal to anyone who had been at the RE bar throughout Saturday night, even if they left before Josh was attacked, to contact us. Even if you think you did not see anything we need to account for everyone who was there that night. Most people in the bar would have known each other and someone will know who the killer is and where he is now.
"Josh was a hard-working young lad, up at 5am for his job as a roads planner and often working seven days a week. He had everything to live for and when he went out that Saturday night no one could have imagined what would happen to him. His family are in pieces."
Witnesses or anyone with information are urged to contact the incident room on 020 8785 8099 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
There have been no arrests at present and enquiries continue.
