Darren Colin Loader

Four Eastern European men were arrested on Friday 13th March 2009 after 17-year-old Darren Colin
Loader was murdered on his way home from a night out in the cathedral city, Hereford, UK.

Student Darren was beaten to death in a savage attack under a railway bridge after being ambushed by
two men as he walked with two girls.

He received horrific head injuries in the attack in Hereford on Thursday 12th March. One of the
girls with him suffered a broken arm as she tried to fend off the attackers.

Darren and the injured girl, who is also 17 but has not been named, were rushed to hospital and he
was placed on a life support machine. But he died early on the morning of Friday 13th.

Police believe there had been an earlier argument between a group of teenagers, which included
Darren, and two men in their mid 30s.

The row ended and the two parties went their separate ways with the group of teenagers splitting,
leaving Darren with the two teenage girls on their own. It was then the trio were attacked by the
two men who had suddenly appeared again.

Friday 13th, police arrested four immigrants, understood to be from different Eastern European
countries, on suspicion of murder at a house in the city. They were still being held and questioned
with the aid of translators.

Two other youths, understood to be friends of Darren, were arrested on suspicion of public order
offences.

Darren's friend Daniel Crum, 18, who was laying flowers at the murder scene, said: 'He was such a
great guy. He never got into trouble - he wasn't the kind. He was always working on his fitness - he
wanted to join the army. Everyone will miss him.'

Hundreds of messages have been posted on Darren's Bebo page. One, from a friend called Stephanie,
said: 'Rest in peace, babe. God rest your soul. You didn't deserve this at all. You were such a
legend and I'll think of you always. I'll never forget your smiles.'

Around 100 officers and support staff, including 50 detectives, are working on the inquiry into
Darren's death.

Two men have appeared now before Hereford Magistrates Court charged with the murder of 17-year-old
Daren Loader.

Andrej Mackevic, 27, and Virunas Kalasnikovas, 23, both Lithuanian and of no fixed address, were
each charged with murdering the teenager. They also face one count of unlawfully and maliciously
causing grievous bodily harm to a 17-year-old girl.

The two men did not enter pleas at the short hearing on Tuesday 17th March 2009.

Both were told via a Russian interpreter their case would be sent to Worcester Crown Court and were
remanded in custody at the request of prosecutor Stephen Davies.

They are now due to appear in Worcester Tuesday 24th March 2009.

The other men arrested have now been released without charge.

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I did not know Darren personally but my 14 year old son did... I wanted to do something for Darrens
family and friends to show them that they are in my thoughts and prayers...