Updated: Morden murder victim of "unprovoked attack" named as 30-year-old university lecturer Dan Young

It is believed he was stabbed in an "unprovoked attack" while walking to work on the second day of his new "dream job" as a teaching fellow at Coventry University London Campus, near Liverpool Street. 

Morden murder: police investigating 'fake' fundraising page for victim Daniel Young

Mr Young had started the job on Monday, January 18. He died on Tuesday morning after being found with stab wounds in Kendor Gardens in Kenley Road - a common cut through for commuters.

January 19: Updated with pictures: Morden murder probe: Arrest made after fatal stabbing

Forensic teams in the park yesterday

He was pronounced dead by the London Air Ambulance despite attempts to resuscitate him, pictured below.

Mr Young was living in Morden at the time of the attack, but was orginally from Paignton in Devon.

Mr Young previously worked as a General Manager at the Antoinette Hotel in Wimbledon Broadway.

Benjamin Martin, of Grasmere Avenue, Morden, shared an office with Mr Young at the Antoinette Hotel.  

He said: "I have never worked with a manager who was so uplifting and positive. 

"He always made time for everyone no matter what. He always knew what help to give." 

Mr Martin said he became concerned about Mr Young's welfare after not receiving a text back from him on Tuesday morning, and after Kendor Gardens were taped off he said he started to "put two and two together."

Mr Martin added: "He was incredibly lively. He was very healthy, all about fitness. 

"He was the rock of the hotel. He kept everything going. He will incredibly missed by everyone there."

Simon Connelly, from Mitcham, is Bar and Restaurant Manager at the Antoinette Hotel, and paid tribute to "the best manager I have ever worked under".

He said: "He was one of the best people I have ever met. I didn't know him for very long but he very quickly became one of my best friends.

"He always had time for everyone. He was just a very generous, loving, gentle man. He will be sorely missed.

"When I found out he died, it just hit me like a tonne of bricks. I'm still in shock to be honest. It's so tragic.

Mr Young participated in the Tough Mudder competition 

"He was always looking for the next challenge, physically, mentally, professionally. He was a very driven man, but in the sense that he wanted everyone else to be successful and happy with him. 

"He instilled in all of us a real sense of self worth. He was a fantastic man."

Alice Murray, who worked for Mr Young for two months, described him as "professional, reliable and totally true to himself."

She said: "His staff adored him. He worked tirelessly for months towards landing his "dream job" as a lecturer and onwards to get his PhD - which no doubt he would have achieved with flying colours. 

"The word tragedy doesn't cover what a life was taken away, and my heart goes out to his family and those closest to him.

"I will never forget Dan. He was an inspiration, and I will be running the Wimbledon half marathon in his memory."

Former Operations at the Antoinette Hotel, Lee-Antony Harris, said it had been a "such a privilege" to know Mr Young. 

He said: "Dan was a well respected guy, who never had a bad word to say about anyone. 

"He helped develop a lot of people and was a great mentor, and brought out the best in people even if they had no confidence because he belived in people and would never give up faith. 

"He was always at the end of the phone if you needed advice and was always willing to support you if needed. 

"We are all just devastated that we have been robbed of such an amazing friend."

In a post on Mr Young's Facebook page, Mr Harris said his friends had convinced him not to pull out of his trip to Australia this weekend, but said he would leave a memory of his friend there.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Young previously studied a masters in International Hospitality Management at the University of Brighton, and also taught part time at ANGELL Academy Freiburg, based in Breisgau in southwest Germany, which offers business based Masters courses in tourism.

He attended Churston Ferrers Grammar School in Brixham, Devon.

Update: Residents shocked as 23 year-old stabbed in the buttocks in Mitcham recovering in hospital

Dr Janet Hannah, chief executive officer of Coventry University London Campus, said: “We are saddened to hear the news about Daniel Young who had just started a role as a teaching fellow at our London Campus.

"Daniel was at the start of what would undoubtedly have been a very successful academic career. It is a tragedy that he never got the opportunity to fulfil his potential.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

On Linked In people who have worked with him at Antoinette Hotels had recommended him as "a great leader".

One said: "Daniel is the go-to person for conflict resolution and problem solving; when arguments break out in meetings, he steps in to diffuse tension and induce compromising.

"No matter how tense the meeting Dan made sure everyone left with a smile.

"Though he’s never one to draw attention to himself, Dan’s positive attitude and the respect others feel toward him are palpable."

Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, who is leading the investigation, said: "Although we are in the early stages of our investigation this appears to be unprovoked attack on a man that was simply going about his daily business.

"We believe that at the time of the incident Daniel was heading towards the station and was on his way into work.

"The stabbing occurred during the rush hour period and there would have been a number of commuters in the vicinity making their way to and from the nearby underground stations and tram stops.

Police request more time to question Morden Kendor Gardens murder suspect as link to Mitcham Lewis Road stabbing is investigated

"I am appealing for anyone who may have seen the stabbing or the events leading up to the incident to get in contact with us.

"I believe that suspect would have entered and exited Kendor Gardens via Dorset Road and Kenley Road.

"From which direction they entered and exited has yet to be established."

Police pledge extra patrols across Morden after neighbourhoods rocked by murder probe and stabbing

A 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of wasting police time and then arrested on suspicion of murder remains in custody.

Police have requested extra time to question him following the arrest yesterday morning. 

A post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place tomorrow at St George's Hospital.

Police would like anyone who was in or around Kendor Gardens between 7.50am and 8.15am who has any information about the attack or the suspect to contact the incident room on 0208 721 4961 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Did you know Dan Young? If you would like to leave a tribute, please contact the newsdesk on pippa.allen@london.newsquest.co.uk or 0208 722 6337.