Men held on suspicion of murdering a teenager by stabbing him to death in suburban street 'over £20 drug deal'

  • Luke Jeffrey, 18, found injured in Chichester and died hours later 
  • Two local men aged 20 and 19 have been arrested on suspicion of murder 
  • Both men held in custody while being questioned by detectives over attack
  • A Facebook post suggested he was stabbed over 'a bag of two pills' 

Two men are being held on suspicion of murdering a teenager by stabbing him to death and leaving him to die in the middle of a suburban street.

Luke Jeffrey, 18, was found severely injured on a road in Chichester, West Sussex, at 9pm on Friday and died at hospital from his wounds just four hours later.

Sussex Police swooped on a property at 4am today and a man, aged 20, was arrested. 

Two men are being held on suspicion of murdering Luke Jeffrey (pictured), 18, by stabbing him to death and leaving him to die in the middle of a suburban street

Two men are being held on suspicion of murdering Luke Jeffrey (pictured), 18, by stabbing him to death and leaving him to die in the middle of a suburban street

A 19-year-old man also handed himself in at a police station in Chichester yesterday afternoon. A spokesman for Sussex Police said that the 20-year-old suspect knew the victim.

Samuel Morgan, 19, was charged with murder on Sunday evening and appeared before Crawley Magistrates’ Court today.

He was remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Lewes Crown Court tomorrow. 

The teenage victim was studying to become a fitness instructor and was devoted to his five-year old sister, his family said, describing him as a 'kind, caring young man'.

They said his death was a 'brutal, senseless and cowardly attack'.

In a statement, the family said: 'Luke was a kind, caring and gentle young man. He was passionate about fitness and health and was studying at college to become a fitness instructor.

'Luke also had a lifelong love of music. He had his whole life ahead of him.

'He was utterly devoted to his five-year-old sister and she has lost not only her big brother, but also her best friend.

'He leaves behind loving parents, grandparents, a great-grandmother and many close friends.

'Luke was just 18-years-old when he was murdered in a brutal, senseless and cowardly attack. 

Sussex Police found the 18-year-old lying severely injured in this road in Chichester at 9pm on Friday

Sussex Police found the 18-year-old lying severely injured in this road in Chichester at 9pm on Friday

The boy was taken to hospital, pictured, blood from the attack on the road, but sadly died four hours later

The boy was taken to hospital, pictured, blood from the attack on the road, but sadly died four hours later

A team of officers from Sussex Police were later seen searching the area of the attack for evidence 

A team of officers from Sussex Police were later seen searching the area of the attack for evidence 

'We cannot find the words to describe the loss and absolute grief that we are feeling.'

Friends of the teen paid tribute to him on social media yesterday and voiced their anger that Mr Jeffrey lost his life over something ‘so trivial’ and ‘ridiculous’.

One friend suggested on Facebook that he had been killed over a £20 drug deal for a bag of two pills – the post has since been deleted.

Chris Inglis described on the social-networking site the ‘horrific’ moment he and a friend found Mr Jeffrey injured in the street.

‘I honestly wish I got to him sooner…I could have saved him or given him a better chance to live.

‘My friend (who got there first) said the same thing…he actually did an amazingly good job helping him until the emergency services got there.

Luke Jeffrey died in Southampton General Hospital after being stabbed on Friday night in Chichester

Luke Jeffrey died in Southampton General Hospital after being stabbed on Friday night in Chichester

‘It’s so unfortunate that he lost his life to someone who is worse than scum, over something so ridiculous,’ he wrote. 

Friends said he had been walking home and had been just 500 yards away from where he lived in a youth hostel when he was fatally wounded.

His mother and five-year-old younger sister were described as being ‘inconsolable’ ‎last night.

The popular teen, who went to Chichester High School for Boys, was a keen gym goer and body builder.

He had recently raised £250 for charity by cutting off his ‘beloved’ dreadlocks which had spent years growing, a friends said.

‘That was just the kind of guy he was, he was so generous and bubbly. Never had a bad word to say about anyone.

‘He was into his body building and his mum would also cook him the high protein meals he needed and bring them around for him,’ she said.

Another friend Pall Marshall said on Facebook: ‘Saw him not yesterday but the day before, he was doing so great and everything was going well! He didn’t deserve it.

‘He got stabbed last night (Friday) because of something that is so f****** stupid.’

An 18-year-old, who described himself as the victim’s best friend, said: ‘He was very popular and always had lots of energy. He will be missed by a lot of people.’

Friends of the teenager visited the scene of the stabbing to lay flowers at a tree where he was found.

A Facebook page set up in his memory invited people to gather at the scene to release lanterns in tribute to him last night (Sunday).

The page said: ‘People knew Luke to be such a laugh, and was always doing his weights but put everyone before himself.

‘He cherished everyone as if they were his family, which in the Chichester Foyer, they are his family.

‘He was always loved by everyone and never put any bad thoughts into people’s minds…R.I.P Luke Jeffrey, such a great man taken away so early in his life, you will be remembered greatly.’  

Pictured, officers from Sussex Police search a bush, in the area of the stabbing,  for the knife used in the murder

Pictured, officers from Sussex Police search a bush, in the area of the stabbing,  for the knife used in the murder

Pictured, a forensics officer at a house swooped on by detectives this morning as part of the murder investigation
Pictured, an officer from Sussex Police at the home swooped on police at 4am today

A forensics team, left, was seen at the house where the 20-year-old suspect was arrested during a 4am swoop

Two vans of officers from Sussex Police assemble to help with the investigation at the scene of the murder

Two vans of officers from Sussex Police assemble to help with the investigation at the scene of the murder

Police were later seen carrying out a thorough search of the area surrounding the stabbing and forensics officers were spotted conducting an investigation at the house raided at 4am.

Detective Superintendent Jason Tingley, who is leading the murder investigation, said: 'I would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the attack or who may have information about it or those involved.'   

A post mortem examination is to be carried out on his body by a Home Office pathologist and an inquest will be opened and adjourned later in the week. 

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