Friends pay tribute to Bexhill man following his sudden death

The friends of a Bexhill man who died suddenly at an address in the town have described him as 'one of a kind'.
Sami McIntosh. Picture supplied by Tia BirdSami McIntosh. Picture supplied by Tia Bird
Sami McIntosh. Picture supplied by Tia Bird

Sami McIntosh, 22, was found dead after police were called to a property in Sea Road, at 9.37am, on Wednesday (June 24).

His close friends described him as a person 'who will be impossible to forget'.

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Tia Bird, who knew Sami for 18 years, said: "He was one of a kind.

Sami McIntosh with friends (Tia Bird, right). Picture supplied by Tia BirdSami McIntosh with friends (Tia Bird, right). Picture supplied by Tia Bird
Sami McIntosh with friends (Tia Bird, right). Picture supplied by Tia Bird

"A person who will be impossible to forget. All of his friends have known him for a lifetime and our lives won’t be the same without him.

"He lit up every single room he went in without a doubt and would always put smiles on our faces and I don’t think this is something me and our friends will be able to get over.

"The bonds he had with everyone were so close and he would do anything for anyone and then some."

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Another of Sami's friends, Kira Johnson, added: "He was one of the kindest souls, always looked out for everyone he knew.

Sami McIntosh with friends. Picture supplied by Tia BirdSami McIntosh with friends. Picture supplied by Tia Bird
Sami McIntosh with friends. Picture supplied by Tia Bird

"He had the almost contagious smile which lit up every room he walked into. He had the biggest heart. He loved his music so much. Always listening to his idol Eminem. He knew every single word to every single song.

"He was always there whenever you needed someone to talk to. He will be loved and missed dearly."

Following Sami's death, Tia set up a JustGiving page to install a bench in Egerton Park - one of Sami's favourite childhood places.

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Due to social distancing measures restricting the numbers of people allowed to attend his funeral, Tia and her friends said the bench would provide a more permanent memory of Sami allowing anyone the opportunity to 'sit with him and reminisce old times and good memories'.

Sami McIntosh with friends. Picture supplied by Tia BirdSami McIntosh with friends. Picture supplied by Tia Bird
Sami McIntosh with friends. Picture supplied by Tia Bird

In just three days, the page has raised more than £2,300 and any money left over will be donated to cover the funeral costs. To donate, please click here.Tia added: "The money I have raised for him shows how much he was loved by everyone and will always have a special place in all of our hearts.

"It’s impossible to put into words how special he really was to us all. We are all just so heartbroken by this.

"Sami lit up every room he went in with his banter and wit. He had the easiest ways of being able to cheer you up and put a smile on your face.

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"We all miss Sami so much and not being able to lay flowers or go and be able to sit with him breaks our hearts.

"We just want to sit and have a drink, and have times like the good old times, like he was still here. Forever will be the life of the party and the joker. No matter what, he always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell."

Officers investigating Sami's death believe he was involved in an altercation at an address in Western Road, Bexhill, on Wednesday morning (June 24) and detectives are seeking to determine if this incident contributed to his death.

The cause of death remains under investigation at this stage, and anyone with any information is urged to report it online or call 101 quoting Operation Elmhurst.

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Police, treating it as an isolated incident, arrested five people. Four of the arrested people have been released on bail while one person has been released without further action.

On Monday (June 29), a spokesman for Sussex Police said: "A 36-year-old man from Bexhill has been released on bail until July 22. A 30-year-old man from Eastbourne has been released on bail until July 23. A 33-year-old woman from Bexhill has been released on bail until July 22. A 41-year-old man from St Leonards has been released on bail until July 22. The fifth person arrested has been released with no further action."