A TRIBUTE to Reece Heffernan has been released on Tuesday, September 13.
The statement follows the sentencing of three men on Monday, September 12, in connection with his murder, which took place last October.
Reece’s father, Nicholas Walker, said: “Reece came to see me and his grandad that night a few hours earlier before he died.
“I greeted him at the door with a surprisingly big smile on his face.
“We were having conversations while he was having his Sunday dinner about the activities that we and his brothers were going to do on a holiday abroad this year.
He continues: “He was in such a happy positive vibe when he left to go home that night after I told him and his brother I love them and gave them hugs which was always standard.
“One hour later I received the call that Reece had died, our lives flipped upside down that night and have never been the same.”
Speaking of the three charged in connection with Reece’s murder, Mr Walker said: “The narcissistic individuals who carried out this traumatic cowardly unlawful assault on Reece, who was an innocent bystander that night, not only put a knife through his heart which led to his death,
“But they struck a hole through all his family’s heart, all his friends hearts, along with self-destructing all their own lives, along with their own families.
“No empathy has been shown throughout the trial and there is no logic for this cowardly assault.”
Mr Walker continued: “Reece is in a better place now and in peace, resting with the angels, and in fact he exposed the evil to the light – what hides in the dark will always come to light.
“Reece was taken from us at such a young age of 22 and had so many years ahead of him, he mentioned to me that one day he will want to start a clothing line because he had passion for fashion.
“Reece also had the skills of an IT engineer; he knew how to calculate complex computer mathematics as well as setting up computer networks.
“He also loved sports and became a very talented amateur boxer.”
Concluding, Mr Walker said: “Reece was a very loving, energetic, intelligent, and righteous young man who loved hugs, spoke the truth, and was very loyal.
“He had that light in him that always lit up the room, place, or any environment he was in.
“We heard countless nice, amazing stories about Reece from people and his friends, and a lot of them being that he was a very clean-hearted person, and everyone wanted to be around that light.
“He loved his family and spoke a lot about his aunties, uncles, and cousins as well as best friends.
“I, his father, was very close to him – he was like a best friend as well as my son, he was also my everyday gym partner, and I am so grateful I spent a lot of time with him.
“Reece will not be physically coming on holiday abroad this year with us, but he will always be in our hearts. Reece will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Mr Walker also gave his thanks to Thames Valley Police officers who assisted with the case.
“Me and my family want to thank Detective Superintendent Howard and his team at Thames Valley Police for their support and tremendous work.
“Also, a big thank you to Mr Trimmer QC and Mr Blake, along with the Crown Prosecution Service.”
