Samuel Guidera murdered in Sydenham, England

Police have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a man in Sydenham.

Samuel Guidera, 24, was found at 21:55hrs on Saturday 12 February collapsed in the street at Bailey Place, junction with Newlands Park, SE26 which is approx. 200 metres from the railway station.

He was taken by London Ambulance Service to a south London hospital suffering from a stab wound. He was pronounced dead at 22:55hrs. Next-of kin-have been informed. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

Samuel was a student of history and politics at the University of Greenwich and was hoping to become a teacher. He worked at a local supermarket to support his studies.

An incident room has opened under the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane, said: "Mr Guidera had spent the day watching football with friends. He travelled on the 21:17 train from Bickley to Penge East. We are keen to speak with anyone who remembers seeing him either on the train or getting off just after 21:30.

"Mr Guidera, who was carrying a pink T-mobile carrier bag, crossed the footbridge over the railway to the Newlands Park exit en route to meet a friend. He went into the local convenience store before walking towards the bus stop on Newlands Park where he was attacked. We are considering a number of possibilities, but believe this may have been a robbery. There would have been a number of people in the area and we are keen to speak with them."

Samuel’s family said: "Samuel was a hard working man, who was passionate about his studies. He was also very family orientated. We are devastated and cannot understand why this has happened. We would appeal to anyone who has information about our son to contact the police."

A number of residents, occupants of cars, bus passengers and other pedestrians went to assist, initially believing that Samuel had been the victim of a road traffic collision. It was subsequently discovered that he had been stabbed.

There have been no arrests at present.