Family pay tribute to ‘funny, kind and wonderful’ 18-year-old who died in fight

The family of an 18-year-old man who died from a suspected stab wound following a fight in Bournemouth have spoken of their loss of a “funny, kind and wonderful person” as two teenagers continue to be questioned on suspicion of his murder.

Police received a report just before 1.30am on Saturday that a man had been stabbed during a fight in The Square in the Dorset town centre.

Officers rushed to the scene but the teenage victim, named by police as Cameron Hamilton from Bournemouth, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Four 18-year-old men were arrested on suspicion of murder.

Two of those – one from Poole and the other from Bournemouth – have since been released without charge in relation to the murder.

But they were also arrested on suspicion of affray and have been released under investigation for that offence, according to Dorset Police.

A force spokesman said the other two arrested suspects, both from the Portsmouth area, remain in custody after detectives secured a warrant of further detention from Poole Magistrates’ Court.

The victim’s family said in a tribute released through police: “Cam is loved so much by his whole family, we ask that our privacy is respected at this devastating time. We have not lost our beautiful boy, he has been taken.

“We don’t want this to be what Cam is remembered for, we want him to be remembered for the funny, kind and wonderful person he is and always will be.

“We would also like to thank all the police officers who attended the scene and were with Cam and all the people who have sent their condolences and wishes to the family.”

Detective Inspector Neil Third, of the force’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of the young man who sadly died and officers are continuing to support them and keep them updated in relation to developments with the investigation.

“We are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries and I would again urge any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to contact us.”

Detectives say “various items”, including bits of clothing, were discarded in the Lower Gardens park by people fleeing the scene.