Canvey Island: Former partner thanks attendees of Matt Portwood's funeral

The former partner of Matt Portwood, who was murdered on Canvey Island in February, has thanked all those who attended his funeral and have sent messages of support.

Forty-two year-old Matt was found injured in the car park close to Iceland in Furtherwick Road at about 1.45am on Saturday 4 February and, sadly, later died.

His former partner Vicky said:

“The dreaded day arrived, on the 14 March we laid Matt to rest.

“A day we never thought we would have to see so soon, and especially a day his two young children should never have seen.

“Although it was such a sad day, Matt received a true send off, a goodbye never to be forgotten.

“Just shy of 300 people turned up to pay their respects, both family and friends from all walks of matts life.

“Myself and Matt’s family want to say a personal thankyou to all those who attended and to those who sent kind messages of support.

“We decided to use The National Autistic Society as a charity to which is so close to Matt’s heart.

“I can confirm and share with you all that on the day £320 was raised, which is an astounding amount in such a short time.

“Matt is not gone he will live on in his two beautiful children that we had together, and I know he is always with them and will continue to be.”

Three men Jamie Lewis, 24, of Bensham Lane, Croydon, Keith Aransibia, 59, of no fixed abode, and Keiron Aransibia, 28, of Evelyn Denington Road, London, E6 - have all been charged with Matt’s murder.

They’re due to stand trial at Basildon Crown Court on 11 September.

Friday 10 February 

Three men have been charged with the murder of Matt Portwood on Canvey Island.

Matt, 42, was found injured in the car park close to Iceland in Furtherwick Road at about 1.45am on Saturday (4 February) and, sadly, later died.

Jamie Lewis, 24, of Bensham Lane, Croydon, Keith Aransibia, 59, of no fixed abode, and Keiron Aransibia, 28, of Evelyn Denington Road, London, E6 have each been charged with murder.

Lewis has also been charged with sexual assault on a female and possession of a bladed article in a public place and both Keith and Kieron Aransibia have also been charged with assault. 

They are all due to appear in Southend Magistrates’ Court this morning, Friday 10 February.

We are continuing to appeal for anyone who has information about Matt’s murder to contact us.

If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

A special portal has been set up through which information can be reported.

As well as through the online portal, you can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

Please quote the crime reference number 42/21102/23.

Visit our website to find out more about our online reporting services.

Alternatively you can call us on 101.

In an emergency always call 999.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

A man who died following an assault on Canvey Island at the weekend has been described as a “devoted and caring father” with “a love for music”.

Forty-two year-old Matt Portwood was found injured in the car park to Iceland in Furtherwick Road at around 1.45am on Saturday (3 February).

Sadly, he later died.

In a statement his family said:

“Matt leaves behind his two young children who he adored greatly. He was a devoted and caring father to his children, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his children.

“Matt had a love for music, in particular his bass guitar. He also had a love for football, supporting local teams. He was a talented drawer, a talent that he would explore with his children.

“Matt was a well known and loved member of the community in Canvey.

“Matt will be truly missed by his family, friends and all that knew him. He will forever be in our hearts.”

Three men - a 24 year-old man from Croydon, a 28 year-old man from Beckton, and a 58 year-old man of no fixed address – have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They remain in custody.

Detectives investigating the murder of a man on Canvey Island at the weekend have made three arrests.

A man in his 40s, was found injured in the car park to Iceland on Furtherwick Road at around 1.45am on Saturday (3 February) and, sadly, later died.

Specialist detectives and staff have been working around the clock on the investigation since the assault took place.

Yesterday, a 24 year-old man from Croydon, a 28 year-old man from Beckton, and a 58 year-old man of no fixed address, were arrested on suspicion of murder and are all currently in custody.

Detective Inspector Kev Hughes, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said:

“Our investigation continues to make good progress, but I still need people with information to come forward.
“In particular I need anyone who was in The Haystack pub on Friday night into Saturday morning, who hasn’t already spoken to us, to come forward.
“There were people in the pub before the assault took place and some who had gone outside at the time it happened.
“Our priority is to establish all the information we can about the fatal assault, that is what we’re interested in.
“If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to us, then please contact Crimestoppers where you can remain 100 percent anonymous.”

The detective leading the investigation into the murder of a man on Canvey Island at the weekend says he needs those at The Haystack pub that night to come forward.

A man in his 40s died after being found injured in the car park to Iceland in Furtherwick Road at around 1.45am on Saturday (4 February).

Detective Inspector Kev Hughes is leading the investigation.

He said:

“The Haystack pub was busy on Friday night into Saturday morning and I am confident there are lots of people who have information that can help our investigation who we’ve not yet been able to identify and speak to.
“There are people who were in the pub before the assault and people who had gone outside at the time of the incident.
“If you were there and you have not yet spoken to us, I need you contact my team.
“The information you have could be really important to our investigation.
“Our priority and our focus is to bring those responsible for this fatal assault to justice.
“That’s what we’re interested in and that’s what we want information on.
“If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to us then please contact Crimestoppers, where you can report information and stay 100 percent anonymous.”

DI Hughes added:

“The cordon at the scene has now been stood down and there is no further disruption in the centre of the town.”

Detectives investigating the murder of a man on Canvey Island have set up a special portal through which the public can submit information.

A man in his 40s died after being found injured in the car park to Iceland in Furtherwick Road at around 1.45am yesterday (Saturday 4 February).

A special portal has now been set up through which information about the fatal assault can be reported.

Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, who’s leading the investigation, said:

“We’re continuing to make good progress in our investigation.
“We have had a number of witnesses and people with information contact us and I want to thank them for coming forward.
“I still need anyone who saw something or has any information about what happened who hasn’t yet spoken to us to call us.
“The information you have could be vital to our enquiries.
“A cordon is still in place in the area, but I expect that to be removed once we’ve finished at the scene later today.
“I know it has caused disruption to the centre of the town, but it’s been really important to ensure we’re able to gather all evidence possible and I want to thank the public for their patience and understanding.”

The detective leading the investigation into the murder of a man on Canvey Island has said he does not believe there is an ongoing risk to the wider public.

A man in his 40s was found seriously injured the car park of Iceland in Furtherwick Road shortly before 1.45am today (Saturday 4 February).

Sadly, he later died.

Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood is leading the investigation.

He said:

“Our investigation is progressing well and we are building a picture of the circumstances which led up to this fatal assault.
“We believe those involved had been inside The Haystack pub earlier in the evening.
“I believe that someone who was in the pub or lives locally local will know the identity of those responsible and I urge anyone to contact us or crimestoppers with the information they have.
“At this stage I believe the assault was a targeted attack and this incident does not post a threat to the wider public.
“Our work at the scene will continue throughout today and into tomorrow but we are hoping to be able to reduce the size of the cordon later on today and reduce the disruption to the public.
“However, I expect a cordon to remain in place until tomorrow as our enquiries progress.
“I know this has caused disruption to the centre of Canvey today but it has been to allow essential work to take place and I want to thank the public for their patience and understanding."

A murder investigation has started following the death of a man on Canvey Island.

We received a call shortly before 1.45am today (Saturday 4 February) to reports of a man in his 40s found injured in the car park to Iceland in Furtherwick Road.

It is believed he had been assaulted near to The Haystack pub a short time earlier.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency services, the man died at the scene.

An area of the island including Furtherwick Road and Long Road has been cordoned off while we investigate.

We anticipate there will be disruption to the centre of Canvey throughout today.

Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, who is leading the investigation, said:

“I want to extend my condolences to the family of the man who has died.
“There is a team of officers and staff working hard to establish what happened to him and we are starting to build a picture of the circumstances around the assault.
“If you saw what happened, or have any other information about the assault then I need you to contact us.”