'Murdered' man had been 'out on first date' (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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'Murdered' man had been 'out on first date'
8:45pm Wednesday 26th September 2007 in News
STABBED: David Brown was found dead on his doorstep
A MAN stabbed to death after an evening out had been on a first date, police have revealed.
Burnley-born David Brown, 24, was found dead on his doorstep by neighbours the next morning.
But officers have said there is no link between the fact he was out meeting a new partner in Manchester centre and that he was later killed.
Police are still hunting for his killer and believe it was a street robbery "gone wrong".
A police spokesman said: "Initially it was a strong line of our inquiries but we have now traced the man David was out with on Thursday and we are satisfied with the account that he has given."
David had been on a night out in the Canal Street area of Manchester last Thursday.
He was last seen in nightclub Cruz 101 at around 2 or 3am.
David, who went to St Stephen's Primary School, Burnley, Mansfield High School, Brierfield, and then Burnley College, died after being stabbed three times in his thighs.
It is not known whether he was attacked outside his flat in Hulme, Manchester, or if he had managed to walk some distance before collapsing.
He was found at 7.30am on Friday. He had not been seen since leaving the bar.
Scores of floral tributes have now started to be assembled at the place where David's body was found. Police have set up a mobile incident room to speak to local people in a bid to gather as much information as possible about the incident.
Two websites have also been set up in a bid to catch his killer.
His mum and sister, Sylvia Stansfield and Zoe Brown, said he was a "popular, loving and thoughtful son and brother".
David had recently quit his job to realise his dream of teaching English in Spain and this week would have started a four-year degree in Spanish at Manchester Metropolitan University.
He had moved to Manchester four years ago. His family, including father Peter, of Hollingreave Road, Burnley, described him as a "quiet but popular person."
If you can help call 0161 856 3691 or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
