Three teenagers charged with the stabbing and killing of Gabriel Petrov Stoyanov appeared in court this week.

A 16-year-old male appeared at Bromley Youth Court on November 14 after he was charged on November 12. Another two teenagers, aged 14 and 17, appeared at the Old Bailey on November 15.

A 46-year-old man who was also arrested on suspicion of assisting the offenders, has now been released.

Stoyanov, 21, was attacked on Bromley Road, Downham on November 4 and left with multiple stab wounds. He was taken to hospital but died the following day.

In a statement issued by the Metropolitan Police, Gabriel’s mother Mariana Stoyanov said: “Gabriel was a young man with a sparkling personality and infinite goodness in his heart. He was taken from us far too soon in the most brutal and cruel way.”

She added: “Gabriel was loved by many, he had a wonderful sense of humour, he was easy-going, compassionate, always ready to help others. We are devastated by his unnecessary loss, just when his life as a bright, passionate, and motivated adult was beginning.”

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “A young man’s family is grieving following another senseless loss of life to knife violence.”

There have been over 2,768 violent crimes in Lewisham so far this year.