Family's tribute to stabbed man as two charged with murder (From Bournemouth Echo)

Family's tribute to stabbed man as two charged with murder

8:56am Wednesday 1st August 2012 in News

A GRIEVING man has paid tribute to his younger brother who was stabbed to death.

Jose Pedro Rodrigues, from Poole, says he wishes he could have done more for Angelo Maurilio Rodrigues, 45, who was brutally killed in his West Howe flat.

Angelo died from multiple stab wounds at home in Coleman Road, Bournemouth, on Friday night and residents there say they have been left shaken by his death.

Angelo was the second youngest of six brothers, who grew up together in Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

Oldest brother Jose says his mother, Zaida Silva Rodrigues Aguiar, is grief-stricken by news of her son’s tragic murder.

The family were already in mourning for Angelo’s dad Francisco, a taxi driver, at the age of 76 last September.

Jose, a former hotel worker living in Branksome, said: “We are all so shocked, especially my mum.

“She is saying she should pass first, not the sons.”

A friend called Jose with the life-shattering news about Angelo’s death on Saturday afternoon. They had not seen each other for two months.

Jose said: “I wish I had kept in touch with him more often. I will regret that for the rest of my life.”

He is taking comfort in his Christianity as he makes plans for Angelo to be buried in Charminster.

“What can I do?” he said. “Life goes on.”

He added: “The spirit and the soul go up to heaven. We are all going to meet upstairs one day. He is up there in spirit.”

Prayers have been said for Angelo at the Roman Catholic church where Mrs Rodrigues worships.

She is being comforted by Angelo’s brother Paul, who still lives in Madeira.

Jose, 49, has lived in England for nearly 20 years. Angelo followed around 10 years ago, and had been at Coleman Road for around seven years.

Theirs is a big family, with three nieces and two nephews.

Youngest brother Fernando, 42, lives in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

Jose said: “I wish I could have done more for him. He came here for a better life, to work and meet someone and get married.

“But he never went through that.”

Jose said Angelo – described as tall, good looking and strong – was good academically and studied at university for two years in his youth. But health problems had stopped him working for much of his life.

“He was lovely, he was sporty and the women loved him,” Jose said.

“He was a good looking man. He did not have to offer to buy them a drink – they would come over to him.”

Photos from the family album show the brothers at Boscombe Pier and playing football.

• Tracey Ann Mansell, 60 and James Joseph Kinsley were due to appear before magistrates in Bournemouth today charged with murder.