A loving father whose body was found in a wheelie bin at a flat in Rochester sparking a murder investigation died from stab wounds, an inquest has heard.

Stephen Chapman, known as Ginger, a father-of-four from Chatham, was reported missing by his girlfriend on October 23 after he went out that Friday night.

The 38-year-old's body was later found in a flat in Delce Road on Sunday, October 25.

Police were called to the property to reports of a burglary just after 10am.

The inquest opening at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone today heard Mr Chapman was found in a bin with stab wounds to the head.

George Knights, 18, who is accused of murder, appeared before a judge on November 25 where he denied the charge.

The teenager, who lived at the address in Delce Road, was remanded in custody and will stand trial in May next year.

A 19-year-old man who was arrested during the investigation on suspicion of drug-related offences was initially released on bail, pending further inquiries, but has now been released without charge.

Following a previous court hearing, Stephen's sister Lisa Chapman spoke out about the pain her family was feeling describing her brother as "the kindest, gentle giant you could meet".

She also revealed Mr Chapman was about to become a father for the fifth time.

She said: "Four handsome boys have been left without their father and his loving beautiful partner who is expecting their third child together has been left robbed of the life they had planned together as a family.

"Ginger touched the lives of so many people; he was loved by so many. All that knew him had stories that always had people laughing.

"Our family is broken without Ginger in it, this can never be fixed."

A date for a full inquest will be set once court proceedings have finished.

Fundraisers have been pulling together to help support the family of Mr Chapman and pay for funeral costs.

A GoFundMe page has so far raised more than £3,100.

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