Fundraiser set up by family after death of teenager

A large police presence descended on the junction of Mazurek Way and Torun Way in North Swindon on Sunday afternoon after an incident.

Witnesses reported seeing two men in balaclavas, black puffa jackets, and carrying large knives in the area.

Wiltshire Police said one person had been stabbed and two people had been arrested, and then later confirmed that the victim had died from his injuries despite the best efforts from paramedics to save him at the scene. 

The force added that even though formal identification had not been carried out, they believed they knew the identity of the victim and had informed his next of kin.

Following this, Owen's aunt Lauren Page has set up a GoFundMe page to help the 18-year-old's family pay for the funeral costs. 

On the fundraising page, she wrote: "As of Dec 4, 2022, Our world came crashing down; our beautiful boy Owen was taken from us in the most horrible way.

"As Owens's auntie, I'm asking you all for your help to take the burden of the funeral costs off my sister Zoe and my brother-in-law Graham.

"If you could help in any way possible to give our boy the best possible send-off he truly deserves.

"This would mean the world to us thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

"RIP in eternal peace our boy Owen."

A picture of Owen giving his mother Zoe Mitchell a hug has been shared with the fundraiser.

As of 12pm on Monday, mere hours after his death, people have raised almost £4,000 on the page. 

Flowers left at the scene of the stabbing in Swindon on Sunday afternoon (Image: Newsquest)

On top of this members of the public and Owen's loved ones have already started laying flowers at the scene just outside the police cordon.

Tributes to the Swindon teenager have also been left on his Facebook page.

Owen's death has now sparked a murder investigation, with a 14-year-old and 20-year-old remaining in police custody after being arrested on Sunday. 

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker, of the MCIT said: "Members of the public will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days as we carry out our investigation.

"We would urge everyone to avoid speculation and making comments on social media regarding the victim - this will clearly add to the distress of his family.

"Anyone with information that can help with our enquiries please contact us on 101 quoting reference Operation Glendale."

To donate to the GoFundMe visit: https://gofund.me/510a5127

Murder latest: What's happened so far

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• Latest developments at the scene
• Police call for calm as two men sought
• How emergency response unfolded during incident