'He doesn't understand that his daddy has gone'

THE former fiancee of a 21-year-old man who died following a stabbing has spoken of her horror.

Police have launched a murder investigation after Danny Parekh, of Bulwell, was found dead in a small play park off Oakleigh Street in Old Basford shortly after 1am on Sunday.

He was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, where he died of a stab wound to the leg.

Melissa Freeman, 18, of Raithby Close, Bestwood Park, and Mr Parekh have a two-year-old son together, called Antwon.

Cheap Van Insurance For 17,18 & 19 Year Old Drivers - Call...

Insure365

View details

Print voucher

Cheap Van Insurance For 17,18 & 19 Year Old Drivers - Call Insure365 01782 898188, Free Legal Protection Cover Included valued at £25.00!

Terms: 1 Voucher Per Customer

Contact: 01782 898188

Valid until: Monday, June 24 2013

The couple became engaged two years ago after Mr Parekh proposed, but split up around three weeks ago, because, Miss Freeman said, the relationship wasn't working.

Miss Freeman said: "Danny is the father of my son. I will always love him. I can't believe he has died. I'm still waiting for him to call or text me."

The couple met through friends when Miss Freeman was 14. They became a couple soon afterwards and Mr Parekh proposed to her at the wake of her grand-father's funeral at Wilford Hill.

Miss Freeman told the Post: "Danny got on to the stage, took the microphone and came down on to the dance floor.

"I knew he was going to propose, but I didn't think he would be brave enough. But then he said 'I love you so much and it would make me really happy if you would marry me'.

"I whispered 'yes' in his ear. I was so happy."

The two split up in 2011, but got back together in January this year .

However, the relationship came to an end again around three weeks ago.

Miss Freeman last saw Mr Parekh on Friday, when she dropped off Antwon at his mother's house in Thorner Close, Bulwell, where he lived at the time.

Two days later, Miss Freeman received a call from Mr Parekh's mum .

"She phoned me at about 6am on Sunday saying she had some bad news and said Danny had been stabbed," she said.

"I immediately asked if he was OK, but she said it was more serious and that he had died. She broke down and so did I. We were both devastated. I try to go about my daily business, but it is difficult."

On Sunday, Miss Freeman visited the park where Mr Parekh was found to lay flowers. "Seeing all the flowers and notes other people had left was very emotional," she said. "It was a really hard time.

"I took Antwon to the shop yesterday and he saw his dad's picture in the Post. He pointed at it and said 'That's daddy!'.

"My heart stopped. He is only two, he doesn't understand that his dad is gone."

Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with the murder, who was last night bailed pending further enquiries.

Enquiries are continuing and detectives are still keen to speak to anyone with information who is yet to come forward.

A dedicated e-mail address has been set up at generalenquiries@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 extension 811 1945 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.