Sheffield Pizza Man Killed On Final Delivery

A 25-year-old student has been stabbed to death as he made his final pizza delivery before starting a career as an IT consultant.

Thavisha Lakindu Peiris, who was originally from Sri Lanka, was found slumped at the wheel of his car on Sunday evening, in the Southey area of Sheffield, as he was on his way to deliver a takeaway.

Detectives say they cannot explain the "brutal and shocking death" of a "career-minded, hard-working, bright, articulate and friendly young man".

According to South Yorkshire Police, Mr Peiris was making his last delivery for Domino's Pizza when he died.

He had been working for the chain's branch on Halifax Road in the city, while he studied IT at Sheffield Hallam University.

Mr Peiris had been taking an order to an address in Southey Crescent, which was due around 10pm.

When he failed to arrive, his work colleagues went to look for him.

He was found dead at 10.30pm in the driver's seat of his silver Toyota Yaris, outside the address he was delivering to.

A post-mortem examination showed that he died from stab wounds.

A 50-strong police team is now working on the murder inquiry.

Mr Peiris's family are hoping to travel to South Yorkshire, police said.

Detective Superintendant Lisa Ray, who is leading the investigation, said no motive had yet been established for the murder, and police were keeping an open mind.

But as the crime was not committed on a main through road, she believed it likely the fatal attack was carried out by somebody who knew the area.

Extensive house-to-house inquiries are being carried out, and CCTV footage is being examined. His car had also been taken to a specialist forensic garage.

Det Supt Ray said: "This was his last delivery he was going to make, so it's an absolute tragedy. At the moment we don't have any positive leads as to who was responsible."

But she added: "Somebody, somewhere knows something."

Police stress it was an isolated incident, but had increased the number of patrols in the area to reassure residents.

Det Supt said: "Thavisha Lakindu Peiris was a bright, hard-working, intelligent and caring man who had worked hard to develop his career in Sheffield.

"Everything we have learned from his family, friends and workmates at Domino's suggests he was a career-minded, hard-working, bright, articulate and friendly young man who was very much planning his future.

"To date, we have found no explanation for his brutal and shocking death.

"I need to hear from anyone who knows anything about his murder.

"A family is grieving for a young man whose life has been taken from him in the most brutal of fashions, and we owe it to him and his family to find the person or persons responsible."

He spoke to his mother in Sri Lanka every day.

A number of people have been arrested and questioned by detectives since the murder, but have since been released without charge, according to a force spokesman.

A spokesman for Sheffield Hallam University said Mr Peiris graduated in 2011.

He said: "The university is saddened to hear of the tragic death on Sunday of Thavisha Peiris, who successfully graduated in 2011 with a degree in information technology.

"We encourage anyone with information to contact South Yorkshire Police."

Anyone with information is urged to contact South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 1253 of October 27.