A man in his twenties was stabbed to death during a party at the home of the former world heavyweight boxing champion Herbie Hide.
The victim was stabbed during a row in a bar area beside an indoor swimming pool during the party, which was attended by up to 300 guests at the boxer’s isolated home in Bawburgh, Norfolk, according to witnesses.
He is believed to have staggered outside with at least one knife wound to his abdomen before collapsing on a patio. The house is worth about £1.5 million and is equipped with a gym and disco area.
An ambulance was called by partygoers at about midnight on Saturday and police arrived soon after. An armed response team was sent because of initial fears that firearms were involved.
Paramedics could not revive the man and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.44am. The suspected killer had left by the time officers arrived.
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Police, who launched a murder investigation yesterday, said that a picture was emerging of an altercation which could have had its roots in a previous disagreement.
Detectives confirmed that Hide, 39, was not present at the time, although it was thought that he was at the party earlier in the evening. His wife, Helen, was present, but neither is a suspect.
The couple and two of Hide’s children — he is a father of four and lives with two of them — have been temporarily relocated, as the home is likely to remain a crime scene for the next few days.
The victim has been named on social media sites and is thought to be associated with the music industry, but police have not yet made a formal identification. Only one person is being sought in connection with the stabbing.
Police managed to interview about a hundred people at the party but Detective-Superintendent Julian Gregory, of the Norfolk and Suffolk Police major investigation team, said that the sheer number of witnesses could present some difficulty.
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“These investigations are always a challenge because people are there to enjoy themselves; it’s a party,” he said. “But on the other hand there are lots of people there, so you have lots of information — it’s a double-edged sword. I’d like to issue a direct appeal for the perpetrator to come forward. We are confident we’ll get to you. You did this in front of lots of people.”
Roisin Belle, who attended the party, wrote on Twitter: “Worst night of my life.” He had previously written: “Buzzing for this party tonight at herbiehyde mansion . . . my Saturday sorted!”
Hide, who won the WBO world heavyweight title in 1994 and 1997, was cleared of a rape charge at Norwich Crown Court last July after prosecutors offered no evidence. He had consistently denied raping a woman in November 2010.
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “I was not disturbed at all by the party, but I was woken up by all the police activity at about 4am.
“Hide does not have a lot to do with the village. You see him going on training runs with his earphones on and he grunts to say hello.”