Killed tourist was 'ray of light'

Lavern Ritch had coached hundreds of children across Cardiff

The family of a swimming coach and personal trainer murdered on holiday in America have paid tribute to him as a "lovely kind-hearted gentleman".

Lavern Ritch, 37, is believed to have been stabbed after he stepped in to help a man in Margate, New Jersey.

Mr Ritch was known across his hometown of Cardiff where he had taught swimming and tennis to hundreds of children in Maindy, Pentwyn and Fairwater.

His family said he had been their "ray of light" and meant the world to them.

Mr Ritch had visited friends in New Jersey every year for the last six years. He had been out with friends when he intervened in an incident at around 0200 local time on Sunday.

He died an hour later in hospital from a single stab wound to the heart.

A South Wales Police family liaison officer is supporting his family, who live in the Fairwater area.

In a statement, his family said: "Lavern you were our sunshine, our ray of light and meant the world to us. Every smile and every laugh lifted us up.

"We still need you and miss you but know you are in a better place. You were too caring and sensitive for this world."

They described him as a "loving son" to Louis and Barbara and a "vibrant" younger brother to Michelle, Adele and Tony.

He was also a big brother to Venetta and Carla, a "cool" uncle and "the best friend anyone could wish for", they said.

The family said words could not begin to describe their pain.

They said: "We want to bring you home to rest and be close to everyone that meant so much to you and that love you so much.

"We understand what you had to do, we understand, so don't worry, we'll be fine, see you soon."

He really was a gentle giant, he was huge in every sense, you know physically, and with a big heart as well Sian Rivers

The family said Mr Ritch had lived for his work, adding: "It is these children that have been robbed of this lovely kind-hearted gentlemen."

And later his cousin Jason Kenton described Mr Ritch As "one of the most popular people in Cardiff".

He said:" I don't think there's many people who didn't know him. We've had tributes via emails worldwide".

Sian Rivers' six-year-old son Jude had been having one-to-one swimming lessons with Mr Ritch for a year.

She said: "He really was a gentle giant, he was huge in every sense, you know physically, and with a big heart as well.

"How do you explain to a six-year-old that someone who meant so much to him and to hundreds of other people and children in Cardiff has been killed in such a brutal way?"

Ms Rivers described Mr Ritch as a "pied piper" figure and said children hung on his every word.

She said: "He had a talent, it was a talent, it was a gift, the way the children trusted him and the way he was able to inspire confidence in perhaps sometimes the less confident children in the water."

Swimming instructor David Knibbs, from Cwmbran, said when he heard how Mr Ritch died he could "understand" how he would have reacted to that kind of situation.

He said: "He was a very peaceful guy who was always stepping in and helping people, that's the type of person he was. He was just perfect, he was lovely and it's just a tragedy."

Mr Ritch was voted one of Britain's 50 most eligible bachelors by Company magazine and had also been included in the Wales on Sunday newspaper's list of eligible bachelors and appeared on ITV programme Gladiators in 1998.

He worked at Maindy Pool, Cardiff, from September 1993 until 1999 and more recently worked at the David Lloyd health club and the Holland House Hotel in the city.

Mr Ritch's family have thanked neighbours and friends for their support and kindness.