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Murdered teen's family 'still wait for him to come home'

BBC A shrine set up to Darrian near the scene of where he died. There are two black lanterns with candles inside, some melted tealights on the floor, a framed picture of Darrian and lots of bouquets of flowers.BBC
A shrine set up to Darrian Williams near the scene of where he died

'Happy-go-lucky' teenager Darrian Williams had been enjoying a normal evening in the park with friends when he was murdered by two boys his own age.

A jury heard how a quick exchange of letters and numbers sealed his fate forever, when a longstanding postcode rivalry snatched his life away before it had even begun.

Darrian died after suffering a single stab wound to the back in Rawnsley Park in Easton, Bristol, at around 18:00 GMT on 14 February.

Moments before the attack, it is believed there was a verbal confrontation in which the postcodes "1-6" and "2s" were exchanged, which are linked to gangs in Bristol, the court heard.

The two 16-year-old boys on trial, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed they were acting in self defence, but were both found guilty of Darrian's murder at Bristol Crown Court on 1 November.

Throughout the trial no evidence came forth to suggest Darrian was linked to either group.

He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Ben Birchall/ PA An aerial image of Rawnsley Park. It is a large open green space with paved paths winding through the grass. There is a small play park section where a white and yellow forensic tent has been set up. There is police caution tape securing the area. Ben Birchall/ PA
The group of friends were sitting on a bench near the play area of the park when they were approached by the defendants

Eight months on from his death, Darrian's family said time has stood still since that night.

"Our worlds are shattered," said Tiffany Williams, his aunt whom he had lived with since the age of eight.

"There is no light at the end of the tunnel because he's never coming back.

"I still look for him in the mornings, I still wait for him to come home at night. We all just think it's a really terrible dream."

Tiffany Williams wearing a white windbreaker jacket and sitting in a room looking just off to the right of the camera. She has dark hair which is pulled back into a ponytail and a silver nose ring. She has a solemn expression.
Ms Williams says she can't help thinking, "what if there was a scenario where her nephew could have lived?"

Ms Williams says there are wrapped Christmas presents at her house with Darrian's name on because the burden of celebrating without him is too hard to bear.

She remembers the 16-year-old fondly as a "mature, intelligent and caring" child, who crept into his siblings' rooms on Christmas Eve to hide their gifts and reminded his auntie to slip a pound under their pillows when they lost a tooth.

"He was the life and soul of the party and everybody misses him. My beautiful boy, taken way too soon," she added.

Handout Darrian Williams as a little boy, sitting in a living room in front of a radiator. He has dark hair spiked up in a point and shaved short on the sides. He has small freckles under his eyes and is smiling at the camera, wearing a light blue t-shirt.Handout
Darrian was described as a "cheeky, happy-go-lucky, and extremely intelligent" child

With three other children Ms Williams says she now feels nervous raising them in the same city where her nephew was killed.

She wants other parents to take responsibility for their children, enforcing curfews and actively searching their bags to prevent another senseless loss.

"They're now murderers, but they've still got their lives," Ms Williams said regarding the unanimous guilty verdicts.

"They still get to celebrate their birthdays in jail, their parents can still go see them year after year. I have to visit my boy at a grave. I'll never see my Darr again."

Handout A picture of Darrian. He is wearing a black coat zipped all the way up and a black gown over it, with a green lanyard. He has curly dark hair and a thin moustache. He is standing in a display hall with painted portraits of kings and important figures behind him, on what looks like a school trip. Handout
His family said Darrian loved dancing and had a lifelong passion for music

Damion Wright, Darrian's dad, says although they cannot make new memories together he cherishes looking back on the old ones.

"He used to hate prawns and my daughter chased him round with one, and he was screaming like a little baby," he said.

"That's one of my fondest memories, it was such a funny moment. They miss their big brother but they're old enough to understand.

"In some ways talking about those times brings me strength, but then you remember he's not here anymore and that takes everything away."

Damion Wright wearing a grey hoodie and thick rectangular glasses with black frames. He has short dark hair, a beard and thin moustache. He has a sad expression on his face.
Damion Wright says some days he cannot bear to be in court and hear the details of what happened to his son

Mr Wright described his son as a very ambitious person who would often "win at everything" and dreamed of becoming a solicitor.

"He was going places. No matter what he would have done, he would have been great at it," said Mr Wright.

"He was a wonderful kid, taken far too soon. It hasn't hit home with me yet, it's like I'm not accepting it. It's just a big mess.

"I will always miss my son," he added.

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