By James Simons-
The funeral of a young man cruelly stabbed to death over a £100 debt has been streamed online due to social distancing rules.
Mr.Chapman, 26, was sadly stabbed on Cromer Road in Southend On Sea Essex on March 6th, 2020.
Lee Chapman’s funeral was held at Basildon Crematorium yesterday, but many of his friends were unable to attend in order to limit the crowd and try and maintain social distancing rules caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, those social distancing rules were generally compromised when the group posed for pictures, one the group felt necessary to do for a split second. Some appeared to remain conscious of the rules and stayed 2 metres apart fro the nearest person to them.Friends of Lee Chapman at the Basildon Crematorium Image: Facebook
The live video was shared with his friends and family on the group “Lee Chapman Memories”. He suffered stab wounds and was taken to hospital, but sadly he was pronounced dead a short while later. Mr.Chapman’s friends held a celebration of his life last month where fireworks
During the funeral many speeches were read out by family and friends.Keeley Boissinot read out a speech written by Kiki Selfe, one of Lee’s close friends. She said: “Lee was an amazing friend, who loved his whole family and even the ones he called family.
“He was always there when you needed him.
“He loved to make people laugh and smile, from the rubbish jokes to the silly names.“You will forever remain in our hearts.”
Mr Chapman’s brother Craig Holmes said: “We may not of gotten on. We may not have been on the best terms but you were and always will be my brother.
“I will do everything I possibly can to make you proud of me. I miss you. I love you.
“Today is meant to be the day that it finally sinks in that you are gone. But I don’t think I could ever get my head around that.”Friends gathered for a celebration of his life on cromer road were he was killed. Family members came from London and Kent to remember their loved once. Fireworks was let off on that occasion and family members
A 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, both from Southend, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been charged with Mr Chapman’s murder.
A woman, Sarah Wahid, 45, of Swanage Road, Southend, has also been charged with his murder. All three are due to appear in court again this month. A14-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder has been rebailed until June 8. The 44-year-old man has been released under investigation.
Those who knew Lee say he was a lovely guy who would do anything for anyo