Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of an 18-year-old Swindon man who was murdered while on the way to meet his girlfriend.
Tragic teen Owen Dunn was approached and stabbed during the journey and later died from his injuries.
Since his death on Sunday, 4 December, his family have pledged to campaign to tackle youth knife crime.
And on Friday (3 February), Owen’s family were joined by hundreds of mourners to say their final goodbye to him at his funeral.
Kingsdown Crematorium was fully packed to remember the life of the “cheeky, mischievous, and food-loving young man.”
The funeral began with Owen’s family and closest friends, including parents Zoe Mitchell and Graham Dunn, and brother Luke, gathering at their house and sombrely marching alongside him out of Penhill together for one last time.
After completing the walk from Penhill Drive to St Peter’s Church, the group then travelled by car to Kingsdown Crematorium for the service, where there was already a large crowd gathered.
As he arrived, with his family in tow, Owen was met by a wall of his loved ones, many of which were wearing smart black outfits with a splash of red after his beloved football team Liverpool.
Others had badges, ties and other items of clothing bearing the red branding for Owen’s World – a Community Interest Company set up in Owen’s name and memory.
One particularly poignant moment saw Owen’s coffin carefully removed from the hearse and hoisted onto the shoulders of his pallbearers while members of the family released live doves into the air.
The chapel and adjacent overflow room quickly filled to capacity with dozens more people standing outside to watch.
The ceremony itself was packed full of emotional moments, with a live performance of Justin Bieber’s Ghost performed by two of Owen’s loved ones.
The assembled congregation heard fond memories from Owen’s friendship group, with dozens of young men lining the front of the chapel, to tell stories about growing up with him and what he was like as a friend.
This was followed by a pre-prepared statement from his girlfriend Melissa.
Other memories were shared about a “troublesome” six-year-old Owen at a family party stealing strawberries out of champagne glasses and sucking out the remnants of the alcohol when he thought no-one was looking.
The crowd then listened to a recording of the song Owen’s friend, Jay Randell wrote for him following his death, before it was finally time to say goodbye.
In a statement provided by Owen’s family, they expressed how grateful they were for the support they’d received.
“Today we to rest our beautiful Owen. This has been a long and difficult time for the whole family,” they said.
“We would again like to thank every single person who has donated towards Owen’s funeral. Without your help, today would not have been possible and we couldn’t have given him the send-off he deserved.
“Thank you also for the well wishes, messages, cards and heartfelt condolences. It has been a great comfort to us all.
“We will always love you, Owen. Owen’s world forever.”
A 14-year-old suspect, who can not be named for legal reasons, has been charged with his murder and remains in custody. He entered no plea at his last hearing and no application for bail was made.
The teenager, from Swindon, Wilts., was remanded into secure accommodation. A pre-trial and preparation hearing was set for 24 February at Bristol Crown Court.
Owen’s family also previously organised a memorial lantern and balloon release event for him in a field near his home, where hundreds gathered to pay their respects and join in.
During the event, Owen’s aunt Gemma Page, delivered a heartfelt speech from the top of a van.
She said: “Owen would have been bouncing around like a nutter knowing you’re all here for him.”
She ended with an emotional plea: “We love you Owen, Owen’s world, forever 18, never forgotten, justice for Owen, knives f****** down.”
The crowd of around 250-300 people then released the balloons and lanterns, and then there were fireworks afterwards.
Owen’s other aunt, Lauren Page, also wanted to thank everyone who attended.
“We are grateful to everybody who came and also the amazing people who helped clean the field up afterwards it’s very much appreciated,” she added,
