Jay Sudra stabbed in heart in botched robbery, police say
DETECTIVES investigating the murder of Birmingham student Yajay Sudra are following up a number of leads after members of the public called in with information.
It follows the release of critical CCTV captured in the moments before Jay’s death which shows a young man who was following him.
Yajay Sudra, 21, was stabbed in the heart in Marsh Lane, Erdington as he made his way home from work on Friday evening.
Police believe he was the victim of an attempted robbery “with the most tragic of consequences.”
The student, known to family and friends as Jay, managed to stumble home where his horrified mum, neighbours and paramedics struggled to save him.
A post mortem revealed he died as a result of a single stab wound to the heart.
DI Paul Joyce, who is leading the investigation said: “The response from the local community and the wider public has been really positive, and we thank everyone for their efforts to help us establish who stabbed Jay.
“We need to hear from anyone who recognises the person in the CCTV, or who saw something that evening or has noticed a change in someone’s behaviour. Your call could make all the difference.”
Yesterday Jay’s distraught family paid tribute to him and appealed for anyone with information to contact police.
“We need to hear from anyone who recognises the person in the CCTV, or who saw something that evening or has noticed a change in someone’s behaviour. Your call could make all the difference.”
Yesterday Jay’s distraught family paid tribute to him and appealed for anyone with information to contact police.
In a statement issued through West Midlands Police, Jay’s mum and two sisters described him as a “gentle person with positive energy” and who was “always smiling.”
The statement said: “Jay had everything going for him and would do his best to make everyone happy – especially his mom. He was down to earth, with a great sense of humour, willing to help anyone at any time.
“Jay loved to play the guitar at every opportunity and was extremely talented. He was really into his music but was also into photography, tennis and loved to sing.
“After the loss of his father recently, Jay had to mature very quickly and looked after everyone including his mum and nephews and nieces, who all adored him and looked up to him.
“As a family we are broken, torn and bleeding internally. This sort of pain is the only thing which reminds us to breathe. We miss every fibre of him.
“Nothing feels real anymore, nothing has meaning. We just want him back. We are absolutely devastated and cannot find words to describe how we feel. We miss him so much.
“We can’t believe that this has happened. The person who did this hasn’t just hurt him; they’ve hurt his whole family and all his friends.”
Police said Jay was attacked from behind just a few yards from his home at 11.20pm on Friday evening.
During an exchange, Jay was stabbed in the heart. Moments later his attacker fled. He was captured on CCTV walking along Marsh Lane and detectives are desperate to speak to him.
Police conducted house to house inquiries over the weekend and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information should contact Operation Prime, Force CID at Erdington on 0345 113 5000 or crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.
