Brothers make emotional appeal

The distraught family of murdered BBC librarian Tom Brown today made a tearful appeal for information to catch his killer.

During an emotional press conference his brothers, Paul and Adam, wept as they spoke of their heartache following what police described as a "motiveless and unprovoked" attack on the 27-year old at the weekend.

Mr Brown was only yards from his home after a night out with friends when he was stabbed by a man who, detectives say, "has the ability and desire to kill someone very quickly".

Officers believe he was targeted at random and they have ruled out robbery as a motive as his cash, credit cards and a mobile phone were left on his body.

His 42-year-old brother Adam said: "There's a madman out there who has killed my brother and we have to stop him before he does it again to someone else."

He added: "It's difficult to describe in so few words the life of someone you always believed would be with you. Tom was a son, brother and most importantly a friend.

"His philosophy was simple - to do the right thing and always put others first. He never allowed himself to succumb to envy, ambition or greed. There aren't many people like Tom in the world. The world will be a much poorer place without him."

Mr Brown, who worked for the BBC and hoped to become a cameraman, was attacked in Southgate High Street soon after 3am on Saturday.

He had been to two pubs with a couple of friends, to celebrate his 28th birthday which would have been today, and then went on to a friend's house. He left shortly after 3am for the 20-minute walk to the home he shared with his 38-year-old brother Jonathan.

But 200 yards from his front door he was attacked and left dying with horrific wounds from a large knife.

Mr Brown's body was discovered at about 4.30am by a taxi driver who drove to a nearby police station to raise the alarm.

His brother Paul, 40, today appealed for a man who called an ambulance shortly after the attack to come forward in order for the family to have justice.

"Our family will never be the same," he said. "Please, make sure that no other father, mother, sister or brother suffers in the way we are suffering."

Detective Superintendent Steve Hobbs, heading the investigation, said: "The victim was totally nonconfrontational and a really nice guy from a good background. He met with what we think was a totally unprovoked and vicious attack.

"He was stabbed and we believe he would have had no time to defend himself. His wounds were horrific. He lay here dying and he was already dead when a member of the public came across his body and called the police."

Appealing for witnesses to call the incident room on 020 8345 3715 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, he added: " Anyone who was in the area at the time or who knows someone who arrived home late and has been acting strangely should get in touch."

Adam, a Sky News producer, said he had been called to identify the body and added: "Until I saw Tom I kept on thinking it must have been a horrible mistake and they had got him confused with someone else."

Paying tribute to his brother, who had been at the BBC for a year, Adam said: "He loved cricket and he had a deep interest in politics and the media. He was about to move into a flat in West Hampstead and he had everything to live for. It's left us devastated."

Floral tributes and cards marked the scene where Mr Brown, who had been wearing glasses, a blue zip-up top and black trainers, was killed.

One said: "Our dearest Tom, you will be forever missed, you always will stay a part in our lives, never forgotten, mate, life without you will be difficult. Thank you for all you have done in your life, you will be remembered forever, we love you so much."