DETECTIVES have revealed a knife found near Priory Park was not the weapon used to kill French chef Reynald Duchene as he left Southend’s Concert in the Park.

The blade was forensically examined by officers to see if it was used to stab Mr Duchene as he tried to defend his fiancee.

But they have now discovered the knife was unconnected to the attack and are urging residents to look out for a disgarded knife in their gardens, bushes, or any other possible hiding places.

Mr Duchene had been at the concert in Priory Park as part of celebrations to mark fiancee Paula Haddlesey’s 44th birthday when the tragedy occurred.

The couple’s group of friends and family had made their way out of the exit into Priory Crescent when some men began jeering at Miss Haddlesey and telling her to hand over her picnic chairs.

Mr Duchene, from Arlington Square, South Woodham, intervened and was briefly separated from the group, which was when a knife was plunged into his chest.

It is believed he was stabbed in front of Ms Haddlesey’s 15-year-old son, Lloyd, and a girl aged about seven, who was with her mother nearby.

It was not until they got back to their 14-seater minibus the group realised what had happened as Mr Duchene slid down the side of the door and collapsed.

A post-mortem examination showed that the provisional cause of death to be a single stab wound.

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