Nashon Esbrand: Murder investigation launched after ‘warm-hearted’ young dad stabbed to death off Essex Road

Police at the scene in Mitchison Road, Canonbury. Picture: James Morris (Image: Archant)

Former Central Foundation Boys’ School student Nashon, 27, had a newborn baby who he was “so excited” about, tearful friends told the Gazette this evening.

Police found him critically injured in Mitchison Road, Canonbury, at about 6.50pm yesterday. He was taken to hospital, where he died at 2.30am.

The attack happened just yards from the Dover Court Estate where Lee Jay Hatley was fatally stabbed in June.

Nashon’s next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem will be held in due course, police said.

There have been no arrests and the Met’s murder squad is investigating.

A friend of Nashon’s, who asked not to be named, said: “He was the sweetest man ever.

“He had a heart of gold. He always spoke about how much he loved his mum. It’s heartbreaking. I just saw him 10 days ago. He was saying how excited he was about his baby and how much he loved her.

“He was just so loved by everyone.”

When his baby was born, he told his friends that his life had changed, she said, adding: “If anyone gave the best advice, it was Nash. He was one of them guys who would stick to a promise 100 per cent.”

Police taped off Mitchison Road, off Essex Road, in Canonbury following the stabbing. Picture: James Morris (Image: Archant)

A witness to the aftermath of last night’s attack told the Gazette this afternoon: “We had just got off the coach from Southend. I saw the boy running and shouting along Essex Road.

“There were also two boys on a push bike, slowing a bus down. They seemed to be guiding him.

“As he was running, he was holding himself in the side. We were thinking: ‘What’s going on?’

“Next thing we know, we look out the window and all you can see is police tape and seven police cars.

“His mum lived on that road [Mitchison Road]. He’d just had a baby. He was a lovely guy, very polite.

“People are going round stabbing each other to death – it’s horrible.”

Mark Maciver, who runs D and L’s Barber Shop in Hornsey Road, Holloway, also paid tribute to Nashon.

“Everyone who comes here knows him,” he told the Gazette. “He came in here once a week for the past two years.

“Sometimes when people pass away, they say: ‘Oh, he was a nice guy with a good heart.’ Even when deep down, they know it isn’t necessarily true. It’s just the thing you say.

The attack happened yards from his mother's house. Picture: James Morris (Image: Archant)

“But Nashon actually was a genuinely nice guy. He was always happy. He always came in with a smile.

“He would come into the shop boasting about Man United, rubbing people’s faces in it when they won. He’d be like: ‘What you saying, boys!’

“We are all in shock. It’s hurtful. Everyone has had the same reaction today. They can’t believe it.”

Nashon, a former pupil at the Anna Scher theatre school, was “the last person you would have thought it would happen to,” according to childhood friend Aaron Mestan.

“He was such a warm-hearted guy,” he told the Gazette.

“I’d see him on the Cally and he was the kind of boy who would say: ‘How are you? How’s your family?’

“You know people in your life, but they will never ask that.”

Fighting back tears, he added; “All this is getting out of control. These kids are just stabbing each other.”

Another childhood friend, who asked not to be named, recalled how Nashon used to stick up for her brother against bullies when the pair were at Central Foundation together.

“He wasn’t the fighting type,” she said. “He was the last person that should have been killed that way.

“I’m in shock. I don’t understand what’s happening.”

Mitchison Road has been taped off all day but was expected to reopen this evening, police told the Gazette at the scene.

Any witnesses, or anyone with any information, can call police on 020 8785 8244. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.