THE parents of murdered student Samuel Guidera have urged the killer of their “kind, funny and intelligent” son to surrender to the police.

University of Greenwich student Mr Guidera died aged 24 after being stabbed in the heart in Newlands Park, Sydenham, at around 9.50pm on February 12.

Mr Guidera’s parents, who he lived with in Avenue Road, Penge, have urged whoever killed their son to contact the police.

His father Chris, aged 53, said: “The person who did this cannot comprehend how much damage they have done to us as a family.

“They have given us a life sentence and we do not want any other family to have that life sentence.

“This person must have a conscience, and if they do they need to come forward and help us with closure.”

Mr Guidera also urged anyone who has any information about his son’s death to contact the police.

He said: “Whoever did this has to be a coward and they will do it again to some other poor unfortunate person.

“So if anyone knows anything that can help catch this person, we ask them to please speak to the police.”

Mr and Mrs Guidera paid tribute to their son, who was studying history and politics and wanted to become a secondary school teacher, saying he was “kind, funny and intelligent”.

Mrs Guidera, aged 50, said: “He wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of young people.

“He was very kind and friendly. If a homeless person asked him for money, he would give it to them.”

She added: “The people who he empathised with are probably the type of people who did it to him.”

Samuel had a 30-year-old brother, Daniel, and a 19-year sister, Sophie, and he also had a girlfriend of seven years.

Mr and Mrs Guidera say their son had many passions, including his family, Crystal Palace football club, model cars, history and film.

His father added: “He particularly liked Clint Eastwood and Robert De Niro films, and he named our cat Eastwood.

“He also liked to play silly songs on the piano. He was not taught but he picked it up. He had a real sense of humour.”

Met Police officers arrested an 18-year-old in Sydenham on Friday (Feb 18), and a 39-year-old in Penge on Thursday, both on suspicion of murdering Mr Guidera.

Both men have since been bailed pending further inquiries, and have been told to return to a south London police station in April.

Mr Guidera was found collapsed in the street in Newlands Park and was rushed to hospital, but was pronounced dead at around 10.55pm.

He had spent the day watching football with friends, before getting the 9.17pm train from Bickley to Penge East, and crossing the footbridge.

He then entered a convenience store while carrying a pink T-Mobile carrier bag, before heading towards a bus stop in Newlands Park, where he was attacked.

Anyone with information should call the Met on 020 8345 3734 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.