Stabbed violinist 'killed by discharged schizophrenic' on breakfast shopping trip

Michael Kahan, 39, had gone to buy bagels for Sunday breakfast for himself and his wife at the weekend when he was attacked.

Neighbours of the man accused of murdering the father-of-three said he had recently been treated in hospital for schizophrenia, and an investigation has been launched into his care.

Victim: Michael Kahan, 39, died after being stabbed twice in Crumpsall, Manchester

Mr Kahan, who was due to celebrate his 40th birthday later this week, played violin in a duo performing a traditional Jewish form of music called klezmer.

On Sunday morning, he walked from his home in Crumpsall, Manchester, to visit a bakery to buy breakfast for himself and his wife, Eva, when he was attacked.

An off-duty doctor and nurse were among the first people on the scene after the attack and tried desperately to revive him. He was rushed to hospital but died soon afterwards.

When he failed to return, Mrs Kahan went to check on him and discovered the police cordon. Mr Kahan had been stabbed twice, once in the chest and once in the abdomen.

The attack happened opposite a synagogue but is not believed to have been motivated by religion or race. The building's CCTV cameras are thought to have captured what happened.

His distraught widow later paid tribute to her husband.

"Michael was a very kind, gentle and gifted man - he was just going to buy Sunday breakfast but he never came home," Mrs Kahan said.

"He had a great sense of humour, was very chatty and instantly likeable. He was simply a nice guy and we are devastated at what has happened."

Police said there was no clear motive for the attack, and a 31-year-old man arrested soon afterwards is thought to have mental health problems.

Neighbours said he had suffered from schizophrenia for many years and had completed a spell at a mental hospital within the last few weeks.

But they added that he had a supportive, loving family and was well-liked in the area.

"He loved cars, and he liked nothing better than helping me out," said retired mechanic Stuart Lomas, 69, who lives opposite the family home.

"We knew he was ill, but his parents did everything they could for him, and as far as I'm concerned he's a lovely lad.

"There was never any suggestion he could be violent. I just feel so sorry for both families."

Pennine Care NHS Trust, which runs mental health services in the area, confirmed that it had treated the suspect.

"We're co-operating fully with police and we're going to conduct an internal investigation, but we can't comment further at this stage," a spokeswoman said.

Mr Kahan, originally from North London, trained at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and performed as the Klezmer Gourmets along with clarinettist Ros Hawley.

They had been due to play at a concert in Manchester this weekend as part of an event raising awareness about refugees, and she plans to perform there in his memory.

"He was a lovely man, he would not have hurt anyone," she said yesterday. "He did not have a harmful bone in his body and was a great musician."

The pair also held classes on Eastern European music and performed at weddings and religious events.

Klezmer music is thought to originate in the 19th century but underwent a revival in the 1970s and 80s.

Tributes have been posted from around the world from fans of Mr Kahan's music.

One wrote: "He made wonderful music, and had the rare gift of being able to play with both humour and passion - the world needs more like him."

:: Jonathan Mills, 31, from Chadderton, Greater Manchester, appeared at Tameside magistrates court today charged with Mr Kahan's murder and was remanded in custody.

A 48-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.