Tributes have been paid to a dad who was murdered at his home following a party in the early hours of New Years’s day. 

Paul Fletcher, who was known by pals as "Dod", was attacked at his flat in Rayleigh. 

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene and found the dad-of-one was still alive but unresponsive. 

Despite desperate efforts to save him he passed away. 

Three people - a 39-year-old local man and a 23-year-old woman, and also a 25-year old woman from Basildon - have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The 23-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

Essex Police said they believe all parties involved were known to each other.

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A forensic photographer was this morning spotted taking pictures of the flat, while other forensic officers have been heading in and out of the block of flats and two sniffer dogs were also put into action. 

Echo:

A five-a-side football goal has been taped off along with the block of flats where Dod lived. 

Police officers have been accompanying residents in and out of the three storey building which is accessed by buzzers and contains six separate flats. 

One of his very good friends Crystalann Kelly, 35, has paid tribute. 

She said:  "He was always happy go lucky lad and we always had a laugh and joke. 

“He is a wicked dad to his son and I'm feeling sorry for him at this sad time.”

The Dagenham mum said Dod, as he was known to all his pals, was much-loved.  

“If anyone needed help he would be there to help them. 

"I'm gonna miss him and so is all his friends and family and I hope the people that did this to him get their karma,” she added. 

Paul is understood to have a teenage son, aged around 13/14, but doesn’t live with him. 

A resident said she was stunned to hear about the murder. 

She said: “It’s not a bad area round here and there are lots of decent people, families and pensioners. 

“There are a few wrong-uns in some of the flats but you get that everywhere. 

“I heard there had been a party and it all kicked off from there. 

“It’s a shocking way to start the year and to think that someone is being told that their loved one has died is really quite upsetting."

Anyone can submit information to Essex Police by visiting https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4201020120P57-PO1

Alternatively, call their Major Crime Team on 101 and quote incident number 147 of 1 January.