More than 100 people gathered at a candlelight vigil to mourn the loss of Daniel McMullen, the man whose death sparked a murder investigation.

Friends and family of Mr McMullen met for an emotional gathering in Workington. A man has been charged with his murder and will appear in court today.

Lanterns were released into the air and people comforted each other as they discussed the shock news of Mr Mullen’s death at the weekend.

Police were called to his home in Beech Court, off Coniston Drive, at about 7.30am on Saturday to reports he was injured. He was pronounced dead shortly afterwards by paramedics.

The vigil was held at the town’s Royal British Legion.

Those attending lit candles outside the club, where Daniel was a regular, before raising a glass to pay their respects while listening to his favourite songs.

With so many people leaving tributes on Facebook, a group was set up so those who knew him could come together.

Andrea Mason, who helped organise the gathering, told the News & Star : “Folk don’t really know how to express sorrow. We wanted to get together and talk about him and exchange stories.

“That’s what it’s about, happy memories.

“It was just to tell stories of how we met Daniel and what we’ve done with him in the past, the parties we’ve had – we had a lot of parties with him – his sense of humour and for everyone to support his twin Andrew as well.

“I’m not just talking a few people, the whole of Workington is in mourning.

“If you saw Facebook, on every single person’s status there’s a picture of him.

“It’s the full town and everybody knows him.”

Mrs Mason, 47, of Northside, met Daniel through going on nights out in the town and said he was “the life and soul of the party”.

She added: “If there was a party, one of the twins or both of them would turn up. That’s how a lot of people know them.”

It was the idea of his friends Shauna Maguire, 35, of Moss Bay, and Joanne Scott, of Moorclose, for the town to come together.

“It’s just something I think he deserves,” said Miss Maguire.

“He would do just about anything for me. He would always go to the shop if I needed anything and in the past he’d helped pick my daughter up from school and things like that.

“He was always at parties, loved to dress-up and be the entertainer for everybody.

“He was so popular and so well-liked by everybody.”

The mum-of-two, who met Daniel eight years ago, added: “He was always polite and kind every time I saw him.

“I don’t think there’s anyone in the town who doesn’t know of him or his twin brother Andrew.

“Everybody knew who they were and if they didn’t know them as friends, they knew who they were to pass in the street and they’d always be polite and speak.”

Beech Court was busy with police activity at the weekend.


Related: Workington man to appear at Carlisle Crown Court charged with murder


Five officers stood guard at an area cordoned off around the front of the property, while others were interviewing people in the area.

Crime scene investigators were on site along with several police vans.

As news of the death spread, concerned residents spoke.

One woman, who lives near Beech Court, said: “I’m shocked.”

In Northside, an area outside garages at Trinity Drive Court, off Trinity Road, was also cordoned off with police tape while a police van guarded the scene.

“There’s been a lot of police activity. Vans and police officers standing there,” said one woman.

“It’s a tragedy for somebody. It’s somebody’s family member.”