Braintree teen Andy Wood died from stab wound to the neck

Andy Wood, 16, was found fatally injured close to green space off Waterson Vale in Chelmsford at 11.30pm on February 12.

Ambulance crews rushed the teenager, whose home address was in Braintree, to Broomfield Hospital where he later died.

An inquest into Andy’s death opened this morning (Friday) at Essex Coroner’s Court.

Popular - tributes have flooded in after Andy Wood, 16, died in Chelmsford (Image: Family handout)

Area Coroner Sonia Hayes delivered a provisional cause of death as a stab wound of the neck.

The full inquest has now been suspended at Essex Police’s request due to the circumstances being “suspicious”.

Read more: 'He was a beacon of positivity' - Former school of teen who died issue tribute

Elijah Clark, 18, has appeared before Colchester Magistrates’ Court charged with murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of a pointed article in connection with Andy’s death.

Clark, of Gloucester Avenue, Chelmsford, was remanded in police custody.

Crime scene - police officers at the scene in Chelmsford (Image: PA)

He is next due for a plea hearing on April 17 at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Tributes from Andy’s family, friends and his secondary school flooded in following his death.

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In a statement released through police, his family said: “Andy was a kind and loving young man.

“He touched the lives of countless people.

“His loss has left a massive hole in the lives of his family and friends.”

Murder probe - a teenager has been charged with murder in connection to Andy's death (Image: PA)

Honywood School in Coggeshall, where Andy had finished his GCSEs last summer, hailed the youngster as a “happy and fun loving young man”.

“Andy left Honywood last summer after five happy and memorable years with us.

“As a community we are shocked by the news. Andy was a beacon of positivity who radiated kindness.

“He was a happy and fun loving young man who left his mark with so many of us.

Investigation - a forensics officer near the scene (Image: PA)

“His loss will be felt in every corner of our community.”

A fundraiser launched in Andy’s memory has since received more than £2,500 in donations.

The money is set to be donated to anti knife crime charity The Ben Kinsella Trust.

A statement reads: “A friend of ours was lost in such an unimaginable way.

“Andy was a friend, one that I know none of us will ever forget. A life so dear to us has been taken and we cannot let this go unheard of.”