A FATHER today spoke of his family's torment after his son was stabbed and found dead in the back yard of a house.

Marvin Lee Whitehead, 28, of Blackburn, lost his life just days before his 29th birthday and his body was found in Willow Bank, Todmorden, at 6am on Sunday.

Geoffrey Anthony Laycock, 32, of Willow Bank, Todmorden, appeared at Calderdale Magistrates court yesterday charged with murder. He was remanded in custody to appear at Bradford Crown Court on February 10.

Today, Marvin's father Chris Whitehead, 51, of Langham Road, Blackburn, said his son's life had been cut short in what was a "living nightmare".

And he said the family were desperately trying to come to terms with their loss.

Mr Whitehead was contacted on Saturday by police who broke the news that his son was dead.

"I just can't understand it," he said."Marvin had been out for drinks prior to the incident and was generally really happy in himself. There is just no explanation and the whole family is devastated. He was stabbed. I just hope he did not suffer."

The house in Willow Bank where the incident took place was sealed off as forensic experts combed the area for clues and carried out house to house enquiries.

But Mr Whitehead, who travelled to Halifax for yesterday's court appearance, has been left baffled by what has happened.

He described his son as a "gentle soul who would do anything for anybody".

He enjoyed the company of his five brothers and three sisters from Blackburn -- Melissa, 21, of Mill Hill, Kimberley, 22, of Shear Brow, Clare, 20, of Lambert Street, and Curtis, Harley, Scott, Liam and Jordan.

"He used to love music -- everything that would come on MTV -- and just normal every day things," he said.

Marvin was a former pupil of Billinge School (now Beardwood High School), Preston New Road. He lived with step mother Charmaine Whitehead, 39, of Belthorn in his teens and then in the Larkhill and Shear Brow areas of Blackburn.

He also worked at Pleckgate High School as a canteen assistant after leaving school aged 16.

Marvin had been living with Brian and Lorna Shackleton of Burnley Road in Todmorden and worked in their fruit and vegetable business, known as Shackletons.

The Shackleton family were also said to be devastated by the incident.

His father said he made regular trips to see the family and joined him to celebrate his 50th birthday just under two years ago. The last time he was in Blackburn was October.

Marvin would have celebrated his 29th birthday tomorrow.

"I had to go to the funeral directors for my own son," his father added. "It is the kind of thing you just can not imagine. We are all numb.

"I am just at a loss and feel so empty. It is a living nightmare and his mother is distraught.

"And the worse thing is we can not get any answers. Every time we try and piece things together in our minds, we are just told that it is an on-going enquiry. It could be several weeks before they release the body, we just don't know."

Cremation will be held at Pleasington cemetery.