Luke Gray, who was injured in attack by Draven Jewell which killed Lymington dad Max Maguire, dies less than three years after incident

A MAN who suffered life-changing injuries in an attack in Lymington during which his best friend was killed has died less than three years later.

Luke Gray was with Max Maguire (23) outside the Royal British Legion in October 2021 when they were stabbed by Draven Jewell.

Father-of-one Max died at the scene but Luke, who suffered serious injuries after being stabbed twice in the back, survived. He had been battling back to health since, despite undergoing numerous operations.

Tragically this week his devastated mum Sarah Roberts revealed that she and Luke’s aunt had found him lying “peacefully sleeping” in his bed at his Lymington home on 10th July adding: “We do not know why he passed away in his sleep.

“We both tried our very best to bring him back, he was an amazing son and I can’t believe this has happened.”

Talking about his bravery since the attack, she said: “He had his kidney removed in November last year; my son went through hell, op after op, he did amazing dealing with everything – things that we went through together.”

She said investigations into Luke’s death were ongoing and “could take weeks”. An inquest has yet to be opened.

Luke (26) was stabbed twice in the back during the attack and was left fighting for his life.

He underwent numerous operations to save him, including three stents put in his right kidney, and suffered temporary paralysis in his right leg because of a fractured vertebra.

This week his brother Jack paid tribute to Luke: “I didn’t even realise how much you meant to me until you were gone. You were loved deeply as a brother, a friend and a son.

“You made people fear you but also love you all at the same time. People who knew you knew that your heart was always in the right place.

“You will be missed more and more every day that passes but we all know that you would want us all to stay strong and not worry about you.

“I know you are gone but it brings comfort knowing you are up there looking down on us. You were taken way too soon, but you memory will live on forever in all the great memories with you made with us all.”

Max’s sister Blaise also paid tribute to his best friend: “Luke may not have been a brother by blood but was an amazing one by heart. He was so caring, kind and protective over every single person he loved. Life without his smile and daily visits will never be the same. Fly high Luke, we love you.”

A GoFundMe page has now been set up to help pay for Luke’s funeral, to be held at St Thomas Church on 7th August.

Set up by close friend Mitchell Speechley-Price he tells how Luke was “a loving, caring and all-round incredible person who touched the hearts of many”.

He went on: “He would have an instant impact on anyone’s life for those lucky enough to meet him. His laugh was infectious, and he would help anyone who needed it.”

Mr Speechley-Price said Luke had still “been battling what had happened to him two-and-a-half years ago” but added: “He was going to the gym, he was cycling, walking Max’s dog every day and was looking forward to getting back to work eventually, as he really missed that.”

St Thomas is where the funeral of Max, who was a local fisherman, was held.

Luke and Max had been enjoying a drink with friends at the legion when they had an altercation with Jewell (22) from Flushards, Lymington, who then attacked them in what was described at Winchester Crown Court as a “terrifying 20-second burst of violence”.

Jewell, who claimed he had been acting in self-defence when he stabbed the two men, was cleared of murdering Max but convicted of manslaughter. He was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to Luke and friend Georgia Hole who had been with the two friends on the night of the killing. Jewell was sentenced to a total of 20 years.

In a victim impact statement Luke revealed that he had been left barely able to leave his home “without looking over my shoulder terrified of what might happen to me” and suffered “flashbacks and nightmares”.

But friends said that since the trial Luke had “done everything he could” to get well again with one saying: “I spoke to him recently and he was upbeat and doing well.

“He saw a lot of Max’s family which he enjoyed. Everyone has been totally shocked by what has happened. It is a terrible loss. He will be missed by so many.”

To contribute to the funeral visit www.gofundme.com/f/lukes-funeral-service