Semi-pro cage fighter stabbed to death in horrific daylight attack outside Iceland
Woman heard screaming ‘Please don’t leave me’ as Daniel Mitchell-Monroe, 37, lay bleeding on the floor
A SEMI-pro cage fighter has been brutally murdered in a horrific daylight attack on the streets of his hometown.
Daniel Mitchell-Monroe, 37, was stabbed to death outside budget supermarket Iceland in Basildon, Essex, yesterday afternoon.
Medics desperately tried to save his life as he lay bleeding on the ground as shocked members of the public looked on.
But “kind and caring” Daniel – who gave up mixed martial arts to be a full-time carer for his mum – was declared dead after being airlifted to hospital.
It’s not clear what motives were behind the attack, but witnesses described hearing shouting followed by a blood-curdling scream from a woman.
One passerby – a 23-year-old veterinary nurse, who did not want to be named – said: “I just thought it was the usual kind of shouting and arguing until I heard this particular scream.
“I thought 'Something's not right'. She was like screaming and crying at the same time.
“I looked over and this guy was on the floor and this girl was near him, but she wasn't allowed to get close to him.”
Another witness said: “I heard some screaming from a girl and then some crying.
“We went to look and there was a man lying on the floor.
“There was a girl sobbing and saying 'Please don't leave me'.
“He was trying to hold onto life, you could see it.”
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A 22-year-old man was arrested by police near to the scene of the crime on suspicion of murder.
Meanwhile, tributes have been pouring in for the martial arts enthusiast, who worked as a chef at a local Harvester.
His manager at the restaurant in Langdon Hills, Johanna Perry, said: “Daniel had real team spirit. He was kind and caring and a valued member of the team – we are all devastated to hear of this news.
“It was a privilege to be his friend and colleague. Knowing that we will never hear his laugh or see his smile is unfathomable to us and we miss him.”
And his former Mixed Martial Arts coach Daniel Burzotta said: “He was a really nice guy. I remember speaking to him a couple of years ago and he said his mum had broken her back and he was her full time carer.
“He had to give up training because of the commitment, because he also worked and I think he had a child.
“He was always smiling and cracking jokes. He used to have a big massive smile on his face. We called him the pocket rocket.
“Daniel was just a real diamond guy, he was small in size but big in personality.”
Essex police said they had launched a murder investigation following the brutal slaying, and confirmed they had a suspect in custody who was being questioned in relation to the incident.
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