Ilkeston murder probe: Tributes paid to boy, 18, stabbed to death in Derbyshire town

Noah Smedley was stabbed to death on 28 December. Credit: Derbyshire Police

An 18-year-old who died after being stabbed in Ilkeston has been named by the police as Noah Smedley.

Seven people, including six teenagers, have been arrested in connection with his death.

Five of the suspects, all 17, have been arrested on suspicion of his murder.

Derbyshire Police officers were called to Ilkeston at 8.20pm on Saturday 28 December, to reports that a man had been stabbed on Rose Avenue.

East Midlands Ambulance Service attended Heanor Road where the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene just before 9pm. Credit: Pictures from Erewash 999s

18-year-old Noah Smedley was then found nearby on Heanor Road with a stab wound. He died at the scene at around 9pm.

Five 17-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A 52-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

A 16-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender but has been released and no further action is being taken and another 16-year-old girl, arrested for the same offence has been released on bail.

Detective Chief Inspector Claudia Musson from the East Midlands Special Operation Unit, who is leading the investigation said: “We are in the very early stages of the investigation and we are treating it as an isolated incident.

“We are keen for anyone with information to contact us as a matter of urgency to assist with the inquiry into the death of this young man.”

In particular, Derbyshire Constabulary is looking for CCTV/doorbell footage and any dashcam footage between the times of 7pm and 9pm on Saturday 28 December in the areas of Heanor Road, Rose Avenue, Summerfields Way, Kedleston Drive and Peveril Drive.

Several friends have shared Derbyshire Police's appeals for information on the stabbing along with their own tributes to Noah.

One friend wrote on social media: "Fly high - gone way too soon. Loved and missed by everyone. My heart goes out to your family. RIP Noah Smedley."

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