Good Morning Britain weatherman who spoke out on knife crime live on air loses cousin to stabbing
Presenter Alex Beresford pays tribute to his relative
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Nathaniel Armstrong, the 29-year man stabbed to death in Fulham in the early hours of Saturday morning, has been named as the cousin of Good Morning Britain’s weatherman Alex Beresford.
The TV presenter won praise for speaking out on knife crime earlier this month when he interrupted the chairman of the Police Federation during a debate on the ITV show.
In a statement, Mr Beresford said: “I’m deeply saddened to confirm my cousin Nathaniel lost his life on Friday night.
“We were all so shocked to receive this news yesterday and our thoughts right now are with his mum, his brother and sisters.”
He added: “Nathaniel was a bright young man with his whole life ahead of him and this tragedy is yet one more example of a needless life lost to knife crime.”
In a heartfelt intervention on GMB in early March, the weatherman said: “Prison doesn’t work, though. It does not work. I’ve grown up in some of these communities you guys are talking about. Some of these boys don’t fear prison.
“If we don’t change the environment we won’t change anything … If you don’t show these boys a different environment you won’t change anything.”
His cousin was fatally knifed on Gowan Avenue – the same west London street where Jill Dando was murdered – in the early hours of Saturday.
A friend of the victim, who gave his name as George, said he went to Southampton University with Mr Armstrong, who had move back to the area to find work.
“We don’t know how this happened. He’s got a lot of friends who live local to here. He was well-known in the local area,” said George, 30.
He added: “He was super friendly, a BFG. He looked super scary – six foot seven, big beard – but super friendly. It would shock you how friendly he was.”
Mr Armstrong went to Hurlingham School, in Fulham, then Kingston College before studying engineering at university, his friend said.
The investigation into his death is the 27th murder inquiry to be launched in London this year and he is the 18th victim to have been fatally stabbed.
DCI Glen Lloyd, the officer leading the investigation for the Metropolitan Police, said: “We are appealing for information from those who were out and about in the area at the time of the attack and saw anything of note.
“My team is particularly keen to trace a light-skinned black male, approximately 6ft tall, who was seen near the scene at the time of the incident. Did you see him? Do you know who he is? Anyone with information on his identity or whereabouts is urged to contact police.”
Any witnesses are encouraged to call the police incident room on 101, quoting CAD 179/16 March. If they wish to remain anonymous, witnesses can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Additional reporting by Press Association