Surrey Police have officially named the teenage boy who was tragically stabbed to death in a woodland area near Guildford earlier this week. The victim has been identified as Luis Guembes, who was also known by the name Gabriel to his friends and family.
Incident in Stoke Park Woodland
The fatal stabbing occurred in a wooded area off Lido Road within Stoke Park, specifically near locations known locally as Peacock Wood and Wild Wood Adventure. Emergency services, including police officers, fire crews, and ambulance personnel, were first called to the scene at approximately 6:10 pm on Monday evening.
Despite the rapid response from paramedics, the teenage boy was pronounced dead at the location. The investigation into this shocking incident is now being led by the Surrey and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, who are treating the case as a murder enquiry.
Tributes and Community Impact
In the days following the tragedy, heartfelt tributes have begun appearing at the site, with flowers and messages being placed along the vegetation banks of the path through Peacock Wood. The local community in Guildford has been left deeply shaken by this violent act occurring in what is typically a peaceful recreational area.
Luis Guembes was described by those who knew him as a promising young football player who had won numerous trophies while playing for multiple teams. A close family friend shared moving words about the teenager, stating: ‘Gabriel was a devoted student, a passionate soccer player, and a loving son. Gabriel had a smile that could light up a room and a heart that touched everyone he met.’
The friend continued: ‘He was deeply loved and will be forever missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.’ It has been revealed that Luis moved to the United Kingdom with his mother at a young age in search of a better life, making this loss particularly poignant for his family.
Police Investigation and Arrests
In a significant development in the case, Surrey Police have confirmed that two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with Luis Guembes' death. The investigation remains active and ongoing as detectives work to establish the full circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Andy Jenkins addressed the public concern, stating: ‘First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim at this desperately sad time. I know there will be a lot of concern and speculation in the local community following this.’
He added: ‘I would like to reassure them that our officers are working around the clock to establish the circumstances of this tragic incident, gather as much evidence as possible, and identify and bring those responsible to justice. Our investigation is still in its early stages, and we are urgently looking to speak to anyone with any information that may assist our enquiries.’
Community Support and Memorial
In response to this devastating loss, family friends have established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and provide support for Luis's grieving family during this extraordinarily difficult period. The fundraising effort reflects the widespread impact this young life has had on those around him and the desire of the community to offer practical support.
The woodland area where the incident occurred remains a focus of both police investigation and community mourning, with authorities continuing to appeal for any witnesses or individuals with relevant information to come forward to assist with their ongoing enquiries into this tragic teenage death.
