The alleged victim of the Jericho ‘murder’ Alex Innes died from a stab wound to the chest, Oxford Coroner’s Court heard.
The 25-year-old died in Walton Street at 1.29am on Sunday, November 13. His death is understood to have been verified by an air ambulance doctor at the scene.
A statement prepared for the opening of Mr Innes’ inquest on Tuesday said it was reported that the Kidlington man had been stabbed.
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A post-mortem had been carried out and the cause of death given as a stab wound to the chest.
Mr Innes' body was formally identified to two detective constables by his father at the John Radcliffe Hospital on November 14, the day after his death.
Senior coroner for Oxfordshire, Darren Salter, recorded that Mr Innes was born in 1996 in Oxford. He was an electrician and lived in Stratfield Road, Kidlington, at the time of his death.
No date was set for a full inquest, as the case was being investigated by Thames Valley Police. Where the circumstances surrounding a fatality are considered in the criminal courts, an inquest may not end up being held.
Four people have so far been charged with murdering Mr Innes. All appeared in court late last week or on Monday.
The four accused of murder are: McGregory Muinami, 18, of Cranham Street, Jericho, Michael Oluyitan, 19, of Waynflete Road, Barton, Bradley Morton, 18, of Cumberlege Close, Marston and Keyarno Allen, 18, of Furlong Close, Blackbird Leys.
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Last week, Recorder of Oxford Judge Ian Pringle KC fixed the men’s trial for May 15 next year. The case is expected to last six weeks.
In tributes left at the scene of the alleged murder last week, well-wishers described Mr Innes as a ‘kind and funny soul’.
One handwritten note said he was one of the most ‘kind-hearted guys’ the letter-writer had ever met. “You brought a smile to everyone’s face,” they said.
Another said: “You were one of the polite young men.”
A piece of grey electrical wire had been bent into the shape of a heart and left at the scene for Mr Innes, who worked as an electrician, alongside scores of floral bouquets, candles and bottles of Corona lager beer.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail, his cousin Chey Brown paid tribute the man she described as her ‘twin’.
“You will forever be in my heart. You always had my back and I’m forever grateful for you,” she said.
Alex Innes with cousin Chey Brown, who paid tribute to him (Image: Chey Brown)
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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.
To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward