Widow devastated at fatal stabbing of ‘kind man’

2:12pm Wednesday 24th October 2007

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THE widow of a man stabbed to death in Thamesmead has described her devastation at his death.

Former roofer Mark Evans, 44, was stabbed more than 30 times outside Timothy House, Kale Road, Thamesmead, at about 11pm on October 11.

Alaana Kirk, 41, of The Quadrant, Bexleyheath, said: "I met him in Crayford just five hours before he died.

"I was there visiting my daughter and I had arranged to meet him in the High Street.

"He was fine. He had had a good day. We just strolled around and chatted.

"I left him at 6.30pm that night and he never mentioned he was meeting anyone. He had not been to the Thamesmead area for years."

Although the couple, who were married in 2000, had separated, Mrs Kirk said she still saw her husband every day to make sure he was alright.

She said: "My children have been absolutely devastated by his death.

"He was their stepfather and they are going to miss him."

Mrs Kirk said she had been expecting to see her husband the next day but got no reply when she called him.

She was collecting her grandchildren from school when she heard about his death from the police.

Mrs Kirk said: "I could not believe it. I was so shocked. I just don't know what to do with my days now."

Mr Evans had lived in Bexley all his life and became a roofer after leaving Welling School, Elsa Road, Welling.

Mrs Kirk said: "We grew up together. Our mothers were good friends."

She married and had four children while Mr Evans had two children with his former partner.

Mrs Kirk said: "We got together after my divorce."

They drifted apart early on in the marriage, but Mrs Kirk said: "Even in the bad times, we still saw each other."

She said her husband, whom she described as "a drinker" and who had no fixed address, still worked for his father on Saturdays and often saw her children, spending every Christmas Day with them all.

Mrs Kirk said despite his troubles, Mr Evans still had many friends.

She added: "He was such a kind man. He would do anything for anyone."

Three men have appeared in court charged with Mr Evans' murder and are currently being held in custody.

They are Robert Randall, aged 24, of Holstein Way, Thamesmead; Gary Wheel, aged 27, of Kale Road, Thamesmead, and Carl Wheel, aged 35, of Lensbury Way, Thamesmead.

Two other men, aged 31 and 27, have also been questioned in connection with the murder.

• If you knew Mr Evans and would like to post a tribute add your comments below. As this is an ongoing murder case, any comments relating to court proceedings will be removed.