The family of Stoke Newington stabbing victim Steve Brown have paid tribute to him, saying he was a “jolly person who was always laughing”.

Father-of-five Steve, 47, was attacked yards from St Matthias Primary School in Cowper Street on Wednesday evening and died in Matthias Road after medics had tried to save his life.

Four people were arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder – a 33-year-old woman and three men aged 57, 58 and 62. They are all in custody.

Steve’s heartbroken sister Sonia Lawrence told the Gazette from her home in Florida she had recently come to London to see Steve and her sister for the first time in 20 years.

On behalf of the family, she said: “My brother’s life was suddenly taken from us so brutally and what hurts so much is that after 20 years of not corresponding with my brother and sister in London we just finally had the chance to visit London for a family reunion.

“Now he’s gone. Steve was a jolly person, always laughing. We had the best time for the 10 days we visited London. He stayed to himself but was respected and loved by his peers we met while we were there.

“Steve would have wanted us to laugh on. My heart goes out to his kids, his nieces and nephews in USA and Canada and his brothers and sisters here and in Jamaica. Steve might be gone but he will never be forgotten. We love you Steve.”

Murder detective are still appealing for information about the attack.

Det Ch Insp Paul Considine said: “This attack took place in the early evening, in a residential street and in broad daylight. There would have been people around and I need those people to call police. Whatever you saw, whether the fatal assault, the events leading up to it or the aftermath, it is vitally important that you call us. It is only by people working with police that we can make London safe and your call may be vital in helping us understand how a young man came to be brutally killed.”

Neighbours have spoken of their shock at someone being stabbed in broad daylight.

“I heard the helicopter,” said Ombowale Ganoyu, who lives in Mayville Estate. “The noise is what made me come out of the building and I just saw the man lying there.

“It makes me feel unsafe because you hear about it from the news but all the time but this was just outside my door. It’s very scary. “

Another neighbour Christina Hurley said: “We just saw when the police turned up, they were trying to resuscitate the guy. There were crowds of people coming from everywhere. It makes me feel sick. I have teenage boys but I won’t let them out around here. It happened during the day. It was all normal noise ­ then there were lots of police. It was all so quick.”

Any witnesses or those with information are asked to call 101 ref CAD 5783/17Apr. Alternatively, tweet @MetCC.

Did you know Steve? Contact the Gazette with your tributes on 020 7433 0104 or email sam.gelder@archant.co.uk.