Rows of flowers and dozens of heartbreaking messages have been laid in a South Croydon estate in an outpouring of grief over the fatal stabbing of a teenager.

Family, friends and residents of Monks Hill estate have left tributes to “lovely kid” Andre Aderemi, 19, at the spot where he was knifed to death this week.

The former Oasis Academy Shirley Park and John Ruskin College pupil was found bleeding to death in Heather Way at 7.40pm on Tuesday.

He died later in hospital despite frantic efforts from members of the public and paramedics to save him.

RELATED: 'Stop the warring': Family's plea after teenager Andre Aderemi stabbed to death in Heather Way in the Monks Hill estate, South Croydon

His mother Yemi, was among those who left moving messages for the teenager in the road where he was found.

She wrote: “I’ve loved you forever and now my heart is broken into many pieces.

“I do not know how to continue without you, you and the boys are my everything, my world and I am going to struggle to do this without you.

“I don’t know how to live with you not here.”

Friends and family held a vigil for Mr Aderemi on Wednesday night in tribute to the “happy kid” who “touched everyone’s hearts”.

Mourners gathered in Heather Way following an emotional church service in St Francis Church just hours after the teenager was knifed to death.

Teddy bears and heartbroken messages were left at the scene and candles were lit spelling “RIP Dee”, who was an aspiring rapper under the name Dee Rose.

Friends paid tribute to Mr Aderemi by listening to his music while reminiscing about his life.

Levelle Brown, 19, said: "Where do I start? Andre was one of a kind.

“First meeting him on a football pitch in year five to then going secondary school with him and throughout those years he did not change once apart from his hair. He was a funny, bright and talented guy.

“I remember the days back at Oasis Academy when we used to bunk lessons just to run around the school and get chased by teachers, memories like those I'll never forget.

"He was a close friend to everyone and would always put others before himself. There wasn't a dark moment whenever he was around.

"He was my bro, and will never leave mine or many of his friends' or families' hearts ever."

RELATED: Tributes pour in after teenager named locally as Andre Aderemi is knifed to death in Heather Way in Monk's Hill Estate, South Croydon

Ellesse Parsonson, also 19, said: "Me and Andre grew up together we went to the same primary school and high school.

"I still remember the time at his auntie Lorraine's wedding he picked me up and ran down a very steep hill with me in his arms and I didn't know that would be the last time I saw him.

"I have lost a friend but also a brother who will be missed by many but his cheeky smile will always stay with me.

“Rest up Andre, you're safe now just wish I could say goodbye today.”

A woman who lives in Monks Hill and did not wish to be named said she did not have “a bad word to say” about Mr Aderemi, who was friends with her daughter.

She said: “The family were there and they were hugging his friends. It was a lovely service.

“He was a lovely kid, he always had a smile on his face. He had a big smile and a big heart, that is how he will always be remembered.

“He has been around my house a couple of times. I haven’t got a bad word to say about him, he was just a lovely boy.

“You never saw him with a mean face. He was always smiling and he really did touch everybody’s hearts.

“He is not what you would call a trouble-maker.

“We have grown up getting into things we shouldn’t have done but no one deserves that.”

During an emotional church service before the vigil Mr Aderemi’s family begged for young people to “stop the warring” so "another mother and another family doesn't have to be grieving like we are today".

His mother said the family had moved away from the estate to "get him out of this environment".

She told about 50 people gathered at the church: "I am just so sad that on this one time I wasn't there for him.”

Reverend Peter Wyatt, who led the service, said: “It is a huge shock to the community, it is considered a very quiet area with no problems like this.

"There are a lot of people that can’t believe this happened on their doorstep."

Dan Morrow, Mr Aderemi’s former headteacher at Oasis Academy Shirley Park, said: “He was a truly kind and wonderful young man: very bright and considerate. Not a single bad word from anyone who ever knew him.

“As his former headteacher, he was one of those students who you always remember - a natural born leader and full of potential.”

Three 19-year-old men have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.

A post-mortem examination was scheduled to take place at Croydon mortuary yesterday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.