Family of Reading murder victim pay tribute to him
Reece Heffernen was stabbed to death in Tilehurst last year
A tribute has been released today on behalf of the father of Reece Heffernan following the sentencing of Charles Lynch, Tuviah Thompson-Hordle and Carlos Daniel Fonseca for murder.
His 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 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 has never been the same.
“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 though his heart which led to his death, but they struck a hole though all his family’s heart, all his friend’s heart 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.
“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.
“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 aboard this year with us, but he will always be in our hearts. Reece will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
“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 thankyou to Mr Trimmer QC and Mr Blake along with the Crown Prosecution Service.”