Residents are demanding officials remove a memorial for a teen who was murdered in Swindon.
Some locals living on Mazurek Way want tributes to Owen Dunn, 18, taken away – labelling it a ‘mess’ – with one even claiming that it’s making selling their home harder.
A shrine comprised of flowers, candles, photos and words has been present at the scene of his death since it happened in December last year.
In the following weeks, it has been maintained by members of Owen Dunn’s family and his friends, who replace the flowers and light candles there on occasion.
But now some homeowners are questioning how long the “unwanted and unnecessary” memorial will be present.
One resident, who wished not to be identified, said: “We were all horrified by the murder in Haydon Wick of teenager Owen Dunn last December.
“Since then his funeral has taken place and various events have celebrated his life and marked his sad passing.
“So, I speak on behalf of many neighbours who wish [the vigil] would be removed.
”No disrespect to the late boy’s family and friends but it’s becoming a real mess and to those of us trying to sell our houses, it’s an unwelcome distraction.”
In response, the Owen’s family have said that the memorial has been a great source of comfort to them and they have made great efforts to keep it tidy and maintained.
A spokesperson for the family said: “I’m going to contact the Parish Council tomorrow as this has upset the family massively.
“We want it to stay until we have the headstone and ashes down Whitworth Road cemetery, the headstone takes 20 weeks to be made and won’t be down until the summer.
“My sister and many others still dealing with the painful loss find going to the memorial a comfort for them.”
Owen Dunn, from Swindon, was stabbed to death on his way to visit his girlfriend in Mazurek Way on December 4 2022. Three teenage boys have been charged with his murder since.
A 14-year-old was arrested and charged shortly afterwards, and he has since been remanded on bail.
A 17-year-old was then arrested and charged following a Crimestoppers appeal offering £20,000 for information.
And shortly after this, on March 24, a boy, 15, was arrested for murder, and a woman in her 30s was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
The boy has since been charged and the woman has been released on bail.
