First picture of architect stabbed to death weeks before marrying ‘love of his life’

The family of an architect who was about to marry the love of his life today paid tribute to their ‘beautiful boy.’

Harpal Singh Roopra, 38, was temporarily living at an address in Ellerman Avenue Twickenham, while he prepared a home for him and his bride to be. 

His father Harbans Singh, speaking at the family home in Wembley, told Metro: ‘We have lost our beautiful boy. He had his life ahead of him.

‘He was going to get married to the love of his life, and we were so pleased and excited. He had moved out to the house where it happened so he could do up the space he was planning for the marital home. 

‘The house where it took place is owned by one of our family and is let out to tenants. He only planned to be there for a short time, and it’s a nice area.

‘We can’t believe what has happened. My son was the most peaceful man, just a family-loving, hard-working member of society.

‘We are heartbroken. I have lost my beautiful boy. 

The victim had three brothers and one sister and was known as a doting uncle who always had time for family. 

His eldest brother Amajit told Metro: ‘He was the person who would do anything for anyone. He loved life and was looking forward to marrying.

‘He was great with the kids in the family – the uncle who everyone loved. He worked hard and just had no bad in him.

His family said he had been planning to set up home in Wembley with his bride to be and had been working round the clock to revamp the rooms where they were going to live. 

His brother added: ‘He loved films, rode a motorcycle and had the best heart.

‘He was a lot of fun to be around, and to think us four brothers are now three is just too much to take.’

Mr Roopra, 38, died after being found with stab wounds in Ellerman Avenue, Twickenham, just before midnight on Saturday.

George Luka, 45 (28.12.79), of Ellerman Avenue, Twickenham, was charged today with murder. He will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court later this morning.

Neighbours described hearing ‘shouting’ before Mr Roopra collapsed with fatal stab wounds on a drive on the suburban street in south west London

A neighbour told Metro: ‘We heard shouting and then the road was full of police and ambulances.

‘It was a shocking and horrific scene.’                          

Another said: ‘I heard some shouting then just chaos in the road with emergency services everywhere.’

A neighbour, 46, told Metro: ‘The house is rented to tenants we’ve never had an issue, but obviously this is a real shock.

‘To wake up to this on your doorstep is horrific. It’s a lovely area, it’s totally not what we expect.’

The incident comes just a few days after Metro revealed the worst hotspots for crime in London.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee, who is leading the investigation from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: ‘A team of detectives are working to piece together the circumstances that resulted in this tragic incident.

‘Our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this difficult time.

‘Officers will remain in the area throughout the day as they carry out further enquiries and gather evidence.

‘Anyone with concerns or information about what happened should speak to them.’

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