"Ryan was a loving and caring person"

Family pay tribute to Newport 26 year-old Ryan O'Connor who was killed last week

Author: Polly OliverPublished 15th Jun 2021
Last updated 15th Jun 2021

The family of a popular Newport 26 year-old who was killed last Thursday evening are have issued a tribute to him.

Shared by Gwent Police, the tribute to Ryan O'Connor, who was known as Apple, read:

“Ryan was a loving and caring person. He has left us far too soon, and he will be greatly missed by all of us.

“He was loved by his family and the local community, which is reflected in the support that we’ve received from them at this difficult time for our family.

“The whole family would like to thank everyone for the kindness they have shown us so far.

“We would urge anyone with information to work with the police and assist their investigation in any way they can.”

Five teenagers – three men from Cardiff and two boys, one from Caerphilly and one from Cardiff - were arrested on suspicion of murder.

They were each charged with one count of murder and one count of robbery. They appeared at Newport Magistrates Court yesterday and were due back in today.

Gwent Police launched a murder investigation on Thursday 10 June after Ryan's body was discovered in Newport.

Officers attended a report of a serious assault at around 9.05pm in Balfe Road and found Ryan unconscious and unresponsive.

He was later confirmed as deceased by paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.