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Boy of 14 dies in internet mystery [Newcastle Journal (England)](Newcastle Journal (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ALAD of 14 stabbed to death after leaving home to meet an internet friend has been described as a "gifted and dedicated student". Breck Bednar, from Caterham, Surrey, died after suffering a wound to the neck in a flat in Roseberry Road, Grays, Essex, at about 11am on Monday, Essex Police said. A post later appeared online saying Breck had left home after arranging to meet somebody through the internet. Last night his parents, oil futures trader Barry Bednar, 49, from Houston, Texas, and US-born teaching assistant Lorin LaFave, 47, issued a statement through police paying tribute to their son. It said: "Our family is devastated by the loss of our beloved Breck David LaFave Bednar. "He was a kind, intelligent, thoughtful boy with a good sense of humour and was a dedicated student at St Bede's School in Redhill and extremely gifted in computing, electronics, and engineering." Breck was a member of the Air Cadets with the 135 Squadron in Redhill and a member of St John the Evangelist Church of England Church in Caterham. "His three younger siblings knew him as a kind and loving older brother who always helped out by looking after them," the statement added. "The wider family remember him as a well-mannered, social, and con-fident boy who was always thoughtful and patient with his younger cousins. "We are all in shock, and so grateful for the thoughts and prayers of friends and family at this difficult time." Chris Curtis, headteacher of St Bede's School, said the school had been devastated by the "awful news" of the Year 10 pupil's death. He added: "Breck was a bright and hard working student who teachers describe as a real pleasure to teach. "His tutor described him as a model student: a conscientious young man with a great deal of potential. "We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and with all affected." A message, on Facebook by a person claiming to be his cousin, said he had turned to the internet after struggling to make friends. "He ended up meeting someone who he thought wanted to be his friend. Breck told his father that he was going to his friend's house for a sleepover a couple of streets away, this wasn't a huge concern for his parents," it added. "He ended up taking a train down to Essex, about two hours away to meet the man he had been talking to over the internet." Police said it was aware of the post but refused to comment on the circumstances surrounding the killing. Surrey Police has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission over a report it received in December last year from a family member relating to online activity. Lewis Daynes, 18, a computer engineer from Grays, has been charged with murder. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |