Thousands raised as 'shaken' community continues to mourn Denva
Police have now charged five suspects
Last updated 11th Jun 2025
More than £3,000 has so far been crowdfunded for a Devon man who died after being stabbed in Exmouth.
Investigations continue into what happened in the early hours of Saturday 31 May - with eight people initially arrested and five later charged.
Officers responded to a report that a man was assaulted and he was later located in the garden of a property in Ashfield Close.
Petition founder Nicky Rich said: "The tragic and sudden murder of my nephew, Denva Smith, age 24, has deeply shaken our family and the wider Exmouth community.
"His unexpected death has touched so many, and over the past few days, many people have asked if there is a GoFundMe page where they can show their support.
"We’ve created this page for anyone who would like to contribute towards funeral costs, the creation of a memorial, and to give his family, including his young sons, who are now left without their dad, the time and space to grieve without the added burden of immediate financial pressure."
The fundraiser can be found here
What is happening with the police investigation?
In its latest update, Devon & Cornwall Police has said: "A fifth man has been charged with murder following the death of a man in Exmouth on Saturday 31 May.
"We were called at around 00:45am following a report a man had been assaulted and located in the garden of a property in Ashfield Close.
"Emergency services attended the location but despite the best efforts of paramedics, a 24-year-old male from the local area was pronounced deceased at the scene having suffered a single stab wound.
"Ben Helliker, 26, of Halsdon Road in Exmouth, has now been charged with murder.
"He has been remanded to appear in front of Exeter Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 11 June.
"Zac Davies, 23, of Hawthorn Grove, Exmouth; Dylan Chadwick, 23, of Cambourne Avenue, St Helens; Ben Mason, 23, of no fixed abode, Exmouth and Thomas Ward, 24, of Russell Walk, Exeter have been charged with murder and have already appeared in court.
"Two men and a woman have also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They have been released on police bail while enquiries continue."