London, Ont.’s fifth murder sufferer this 12 months has been recognized as Daniel Fawcett, 52, a former member of the band Helix.
Fawcett, who’s from London, was a well known native musician who most just lately was a part of Tim ‘E’ and the Yes Men, an Elvis Presley tribute band. He had been a part of the profitable Kitchener, Ont., laborious rock band Helix from 2002 to 2004.
“He would not harm a flea. He was one of many greatest kind-hearted guys that ever walked the planet, and to take him away from his lovely daughter, and everyone that loves him, is simply such an terrible factor,” mentioned Tim Hendry, an Elvis tribute artist and shut good friend of Fawcett who lives and performs in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Hendry mentioned he and Fawcett had identified one another and been buddies for 34 years.
On Sunday, London police closed off a bit of Gibbons Park close to the tip of Grosvenor Street for what they initially referred to as a suspicious demise investigation. On Monday, police confirmed the person discovered useless in the park was probably a sufferer of murder and recognized him as Fawcett.
A neighbour informed CBC News she woke as much as the sound of sirens round 7 a.m. ET Sunday.
Daughter, music ‘solely factor that mattered’
According to Hendry, Fawcett had fallen upon a decline in enterprise, discovering it laborious to safe work as a musician in the London area. But recently, his luck was turning and large plans had been starting to materialize when he was killed.
“[Last week] I simply mentioned, ‘You know, like, get your passport up to date. Let’s get you down right here to Pigeon Forge, as a result of there’s a lot work down right here,'” mentioned Hendry. “He was similar to, ‘Yeah, I need to do that. I need to get again. I obtained to get again to enjoying.'”
Fawcett had one daughter, in addition to his siblings. He had spent his life as a part of London’s music scene and was often known as a well-skilled, versatile guitarist. Hendry referred to him as among the finest guitarists he had performed with.
“The solely factor that mattered to him was his daughter, and music,” mentioned Hendry.
Devastation stemming from the information of Fawcett’s demise has been reverberating all through what Hendry mentioned is a close-knit, however sizable native music group.
“I’ve been speaking to lots of them and simply, you realize, the emotion we have felt is simply — it is simply so tragic.”
Friend calls for assist to seek out killer
Social media posts from these near Fawcett categorical unhappiness and condolences to his household.
Now, Hendry’s ideas are targeted on the long run, condolences for Fawcett’s household and closure. He’s additionally questioning if and when whoever killed Fawcett will probably be caught.
“We want everyone’s assist to attempt to find and discover the individual that took him from us and took him from his lovely daughter,” Hendry mentioned. “We want everyone in London to bond collectively and attempt to discover this piece of shit.”
Investigators with the London Police Service (LPS) hope to talk with anybody who might have been in the 0-100 block of Grosvenor Street between 2 and seven a.m. on Sunday or who might have info that might assist with the investigation.
