A POST-MORTEM into the death of a murdered teenager revealed he died from a single stab wound to the neck.

Police and the ambulance service were called to reports of a disturbance at an address in East Hanningfield Road, Rettendon Common, just before midnight on Saturday March 11.

A total of five men were arrested on suspicion of murder, after a 19-year-old man was found seriously injured.

He was given emergency treatment at the scene but sadly died. 

Three of the men, aged 24, 30 and 42, have been released without charge and face no further action.

Magistrates have yesterday granted officers an extension for two men aged 21 and 37 to remain in custody for a further 36 hours for questioning.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Stanway Major Investigation Team on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police were called to the house in East Hanningfield Road, Rettendon Common, near East Hanningfield, just before midnight on Saturday to reports of a disturbance.

Police cars, ambulances and the police helicopter rushed to the scene.

Upon arrival, police and paramedics ambulance staff found the 19-year-old had suffered stab wounds.

The teenager was given emergency treatment at the scene but sadly died.

Gavin Griffiths, of nearby Salforal Close, said: “I heard the helicopter last night and saw the searchlights, but I just thought it was kids who had stolen a car or something so I just went back to sleep.

“I woke up the next day and saw on social media and my neighbour said a man had been stabbed to death.

“It is quite shocking – every death is shocking no matter where it is.

“But that man was so young – he had barely lived.

“It is very upsetting and very shocking.

“The man had a family who have now lost someone.”

He added the area was usually very quiet so the incident was surprising.

Another resident also described hearing the helicopter and seeing the police cars on the scene.

A woman living down the road, who asked not to be named, said:

“I saw the searchlights in the garden and they were so bright.

“There were a lot of police cars and the road was all closed.

“It is really shocking - not what you expect at all.”

A forensics team remained at the house yesterday.

The stabbing is not too far from the scene of the infamous Rettendon murders.

On 6 December 1995, three drug dealers Rettendon was the scene of the triple murder of Tony Tucker, 38, Patrick Tate, 37, and Craig Rolfe, 26 were shot dead in a Range Rover down a small farm track.

Two men were later convicted of their murder.

Five men, aged 42, 37, 29, 24 and 21 have been arrested on suspicion of Saturday’s murder and remain in custody.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police would like to offer reassurance that violent crime of this nature in Chelmsford is rare and there is no current risk to the public.

“Officers are conducting a search of the area and enquiries are ongoing.”

Witnesses or anyone with information that could help the investigation should contact DCI Stuart Smith on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org