Sheffield mum reveals heartbreaking final message Danny Irons sent her before tragic murder

Danny Irons, aged 32, was knifed in an attack on Fretson Green, Manor, in the early hours of Saturday.

His killer remains at large today.

Paying tribute to Danny, a father of three young children – two sons and a daughter – his mum Christine Irons, 51, said she is struggling to come to terms with her family’s loss.

She said Danny ‘held the family together’.

“He was funny, loving and would do anything for anyone,” Danny’s grieving mum said.

“I used to call him my rock, he held the family together. It won’t ever be the same again.”

She said she is desperate for answers about Danny’s death and why he was targeted on the estate where he grew up.

She was informed of his death by police officers who called at her home in the early hours of Saturday.

“The police knocked on my door and asked me if I was Danny’s mum. They then asked if I wanted to sit down and as soon as they said that I just knew. My world fell apart.

“You can never prepare for this, it is heartbreaking. No mum ever expects to bury a child.”

Christine, who has a daughter Kirsty and a son, Adam, said her daughter is due to give birth to her fourth child – a boy after three girls.

“I think she will call him Danny after her brother,” said Christine.

“We are all heartbroken and devastated.”

Christine urged those with information about the murder to come forward.

“We just want justice, we want whoever did this found,” she said.

“If anyone knows anything, they need to come forward.”

The devastated mum said she will cherish the last text message she received from her son two days before his death, in which Danny told her he loved her.

“He always said he loved me and would write that in his texts, it is all I have now, plus all the photos and videos on my phone. I keep looking at them " she said.

“I keep imagining that he is just going to come walking in through the door.”

A 28-year-old Sheffield man arrested on Saturday in connection with the murder was released under investigation after police questioning.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Oughton, leading the police probe, said: “Our inquiry has progressed at pace over the weekend and I would firstly like to thank everyone who has come forward with information so far.

“I continue to appeal to anyone who has information about what happened to Daniel to pass this on to us. If you were in the Fretson Green area between midnight and 1am on Saturday and think you saw something suspicious, please get in touch. Even the slightest bit of information could really help us progress our investigation.”

“Uniformed officers will remain in the Manor area throughout the week, so please do approach them if you have any questions or concerns.”

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote incident number to quote is 29 of April 17.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.