The family of murdered Leon Murphy have been making final preparations for his funeral on Saturday.

Among the tributes being paid to the 20-year-old who was murdered in May will be one particularly touching one - from Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Leon's mother Janine wrote to the footballing legend after his team won the treble this year, telling him about her dead son's love for the side - and he sent a letter back with his condolences.

The 19-year-old was found dead in his ground floor flat in Redgrave Road, Vange. A post-mortem examination revealed he died of head injuries.

Despite his struggle with epilepsy, for which he was registered disabled, she said he was very much enjoying life .

Janine, 39, of the Slades, Vange, said: "He was just going from a boy into a man. He wanted to learn to drive, get married and have children. "

Leon also had an "abundance of patience", she said, with his 15-year-old sister, Victoria, who has special needs and attends Moat House School, Basildon.

Janine, said: "She misses him desperately."

Also trying to cope with his grief is Leon's 22-year-old brother, Daniel.

Leon cared for his grandmother, Jenny, full-time before she died aged 65 in October last year, by cooking and cleaning for her.

The former Laindon School pupil had previously lived at Wimborne, Laindon.

Janine said a private goodbye to Leon yesterday in the chapel of rest, when she was finally able to hold and kiss her son's hand.

She said: "I'll never forget him and will always be proud of him. The fact that nobody has had a bad word to say about him proves how nice and kind he was.

"We would also like to thank all our friends and family for their support."

The service at Pitsea crematorium will be led by Humanist, Fraser Gallie, of Wickford, and the letter from Alex Ferguson will be among the readings.

Desperate without him - Victoria, pictured with her brother Leon

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