In February 2019 Colchester was rocked by three serious incidents in the space of just 12 hours.
As the events unfolded in was discovered two men had been stabbed and in a seperate incident a man was doused in boiling water.
The case involving the death of Carl Hopkins features in tonight's episode of Murder 24/7 on BBC 2 at 9pm.
This is how events unfolded.
- Stabbing, George Street, 10pm Sunday February 10
Police were first called to George Street at 10pm on Sunday after a man had been stabbed in the back.
His injuries were serious but not believed to be life threatening.
Police confirmed he was taken to hospital.
On the Monday morning the road remained cordoned off while police investigated.
- Man found dead, Ryegate Road, 8.20am Monday February 11
Then at 8.20am the police were called by the ambulance service shortly after reports a man had been found dead in Ryegate Road.
He had suffered a stab wound to his back.
Police launched a murder investigation and called on anyone who was in the area this morning and saw what happened to get in contact.
Essex Police began investigating whether the stabbing and murder were linked.
It later emerged the victim Carl Hopkins had been among a gang of six homeless people who had planned to steal from a 17-year-old drug dealer in Colchester town centre.
Mr Hopkins was injured as he tried to block the boy's escape
The boy insisted he was acting in self defence at the time of the stabbings and feared for his life because he believed the men to be armed with a smashed bottle.
Following a two week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, the jury unanimously cleared the boy of murder and wounding with intent.
- Man doused in boiling water, town centre, 11am Monday February 11
In a third incident a man was doused with water by police officers as they treated him for injuries.
Police were guarding the scene of a stabbing in George Street, Colchester, when they were approached by a man who was in distress.
The officers asked the man to remove his shirt and got water from a nearby hotel and began treating the man for his injuries.
After another man was pointed out by the victim, two officers chased him down the High Street on street before making an arrest in West Stockwell Street.
His injuries are thought to have been caused by having boiling water thrown at him.
The third incident happened at around 11am and police said it was not related to the stabbing or murder.
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