Police have made a plea to the public after a schoolboy was stabbed to death at the side of a road.
Lancashire Police were called to Digmoor Road in Skelmersdale at around 9pm on Thursday, June 29, following reports of a stabbing. Once emergency services arrived at the scene they found 15-year-old Dylan Bragger, who despite the best efforts from emergency services died at the scene.
Felipe Figueiredo, 28, has been charged with the murder of Dylan. He appeared in Preston Crown Court on July 4, and has not yet entered a plea to the charge of murder of which he is accused.
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Following Dylan's death, his devastated family paid tribute to their "gentle giant" with a "heart of gold".
Dylan’s family said: “Our boy had a heart of gold, he was a gentle giant and was loved by so many. As a family we have no words to explain how we are feeling at this heart-breaking time.
“Dylan had such an infectious smile that would light up any room and he could cheer anyone up with one of his big bear hugs. Our boy didn’t deserve any of this, he was just a 15-year-old lad working towards being a car mechanic, with his whole life ahead of him. We’ve got a hole in our heart that will never heal and no amount of words will ever take our pain away.
“We love you always and forever. Fly high with our other angels DJ, all our love Mum, Dad, Nan, Meg, Moll, Shania, V, Lucas and Joel.
“We’d also like to express our thanks to everyone for all of their kind words and gestures, they haven’t gone unnoticed.”
Over the last two weeks detectives have reviewed CCTV footage, spoken with residents and followed up a number of enquiries to establish the full circumstances leading to Dylan’s tragic death. They're now asking for support from the Skelmersdale community.
A spokesperson from the force said: "Our investigation has identified a number of vehicles that we know will have passed the scene in the moments prior to the altercation. We’d ask that the drivers of those vehicles get in touch with us, even if only to confirm that they do not have any information of note.
"We’ve already conducted extensive door-to-door enquiries, but we’re also interested in hearing from any residents in the area surrounding Digmoor road, that haven’t been spoken to by Police already, who may have captured either party on doorbell cameras or CCTV, before the incident."
Det Ch Insp Andrew Fallows, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “Whilst a man has been charged, our investigation is very much ongoing to establish as much information as possible about the circumstances leading to Dylan’s tragic death. Our ask is that if you were in the area on the evening of the 29th June and saw something, even if you believe it to be insignificant – please get in touch and let us decide.
“Likewise if you live locally or were travelling in the area and haven’t already been spoken to, please contact us”.
We continue to appeal to anyone with information about the investigation to call police on 101, quoting log 1526 of June 29.
You can submit dashcam footage directly to us through our portal here: https://unitedkingdom1cpp-portal.digital-policing.co.uk/lancashire/appeal/updated-appeal-for-information-in-dylan-bragger-murder-investigation
Alternatively call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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