Heartbroken family’s ‘unbearable loss’ in death of ‘loving’ boy, 15, after stabbing

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Zane Smart, who died in Pendleford, Wolverhampton on Friday after being stabbed in the chest

The heartbroken family of a 15-year-old boy who died after being stabbed have paid tribute to the “loving” victim.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Zane Smart, stabbed in the chest.

The fatal attack occurred in Pendeford, Wolverhampton on Friday afternoon 27 May.

Zane was part of a group standing outside Pendeford Fish Bar, The Haymarket at around 3.40pm. Part of the incident was captured in video posted on Snapchat – details police are asking for.

The alleged attacker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will appear before Wolverhampton magistrates tomorrow.

Zane’s family was heartbroken and devastated with grief, saying he was “much loved by all of us.”

The family said in a statement: “Words cannot describe the unbearable loss we feel as Zane’s family. He was a brother, a son, a grandson, a nephew who was loved very much.

“The world keeps turning, but for us it has stopped. We’ve been trapped in a nightmare since he lost his life to more knife crimes. We want him to be remembered as the fun, loving boy he really was, with an infectious dimpled smile that lit up any room.

“Zane, you are the kindest soul and we love you very much. We will never stop loving you and being in your corner, our boy.

“As a family, we urge anyone who has seen or heard anything, if you have any Snapchats or videos, send them anonymously to the police. Please help us ensure no more lives are lost. Your help now might protect your own loved ones, but it will certainly bring justice to our boy.”

The force said they have yet to “identify everyone” who was outside the fish bar so officers can “talk to them about what happened”.

A spokesman said: “If you can help please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“We are aware that a video showing part of the incident was posted on Snapchat. The video is critical to our investigation, and we urge anyone who has a copy to send it in or let us know which accounts shared it.

“Our specialist family liaison officers continue to support Zane’s family through their most unimaginable nightmare. A 46-year-old woman who we arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to a criminal has been released pending further investigation.”

An area of ​​Pendeford surrounding Reaper’s Walk, which is about half a mile from the fish bar, was cordoned off following the attack.

However, the force said “the searches at the crime scene and the canal have now been completed and the cordons have been lifted”.

A spokesperson added: “Anyone who saw what happened and hasn’t spoken to us yet is strongly advised to get in touch with us via the live chat on the right-hand side of your screen. If you have a copy of the video and need to send it to us, you should email the investigation team directly at homicide_t5@westmidlands.police.uk.

“Remember – if you wish to remain 100 per cent anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers instead. Tell them what you know, not who you are. Please provide the reference number 2838 from 05/27/22.

“Knife crime must stop. Please help us. Visit Life or Knife to see how you can help west-midlands.police.uk/campaigns/life-or-knife.”