Express & Star

'He was an angel' - Devastated grandfather pays tribute to murder victim Keelan Wilson

The grandfather of Keelan Wilson has paid tribute to his 15-year-old grandson, who was stabbed to death in the street near his Wolverhampton home.

Published
Last updated
Keelan Wilson and, right, the police cordon at the murder scene

The heartbroken grandfather of tragic teenager Keelan Wilson this afternoon described him as 'an angel' who had just enrolled at college.

The young victim was named by his grandfather George Ellitts as a major police investigation got under way in Wolverhampton.

Police were called to Langley Road, Merry Hill, just after 11pm following violence between a group of youths.

Keelan pictured with his mother Kelly

Keelan, aged 15, was taken to hospital with serious injuries but was confirmed dead a short time later.

His grandfather today spoke of a kind-hearted boy who once raised hundreds of pounds for Great Ormond Street Hospital in a sponsored hair-cut.

Police cordoned off the scene in Wolverhampton after the teenager was fatally stabbed

Speaking outside the family home in Wolverhampton, Mr Ellitts paid tribute to Keelan, who was fatally wounded in an attack on Tuesday night.

He said: "To me, he was an angel."

Keelan, aged nine, before he had his head shaved for charity

Mr Ellitts added: "They were all supposed to be going on holiday a week tomorrow, to Egypt."

He said: "He's lived with me all my life.

"He raised a few hundred pounds for Great Ormond Street Hospital a few years back, he had his hair cut, he had the lot off."

More coverage of murder which has rocked a city

He added that the boy's mother Kelly, who also lived at the address just a few metres from the scene of the attack in Strathfield Walk, was 'in a bad way'.

She was seen leaving the home in tears, being comforted by other family members, and getting into a car as scenes of crime officers continued forensic work behind the nearby police-tape cordon.

WATCH: Top cop appeals for public support

The teenager loved cars and had a bright future ahead, having just enrolled at college in Birmingham, and was due to turn 16 in July, Mr Ellitts said.

Neighbour, 81-year-old Lily Thompson said: "It's such a shame.

"Keelan was such a nice, smiley lad.

"The family have been here a long time, he's never been any trouble, always been a lovely lad, and he'd always say 'Hello, Mrs T'.

Keelan was with a friend in the street that runs along the back of his home, when he was attacked.