Rafaqit Kayani was described as a ‘true epitome of beauty’ by his wife, who wrote a tribute to the 24-year-old in the days following his death on August 30 in Slough.
The keen boxer was stabbed in the street and collapsed in a pool of blood outside the car park of a Hindu Temple on Keel Drive.
Despite the help of emergency services, he was declared dead in hospital on the same day. Following the attack two men were charged in connection with his death.
Today, Reading coroner’s office assistant Berkshire coroner Katy Thorne KC extended her condolences but suspended the inquest to allow other legal proceedings to continue.
Mohammed Rafaqit Kayani, 24, was stabbed to death in Slough, Berkshire on August 30, an inquest heard today
After he was stabbed, Mr Kayani was taken to hospital with serious injuries but he could not be saved. A post-mortem examination concluded the cause of his death as a stab wound to the chest
Opening the inquest in, Katy Thorne KC said: ‘I am opening the inquest into the death of Mohammed Rafaqit Kayani, who was born on March 24, 1998, and his address was given as Hull Close, Slough, Berks.
‘It has been reported to us that he died on August 30, 2022 at Wexham Park Hospital, Slough. His identification was confirmed by Sonam Kayani. The circumstances were that an ambulance and police officers were called Keel Drive in Slough at 13.45 on August 30.
‘Mr Kayani was found with a stab wound to the chest. He was taken to hospital and unfortunately, his death was confirmed the same day. A cause of death was given as a stab wound to the chest.
‘Due to the unnatural aspects of this death, this will be listed for an inquest. However this will be suspended to allow proceedings in another court to take place. I would like to record my condolences to the friends and family at this time.’
Hassan Al-Kubanji, aged 21 years, of Peabody Avenue, London, has been charged with murder, perverting the course of justice, possession of a blade/sharp pointed article in a public place and two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A, namely cocaine and heroin.
Miguel Parian John, aged 41 years, of Concorde Way, Slough, has been charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A, namely cocaine and heroin, one count of assisting an offender and one count of and possession of a blade/sharp pointed article in a public place.
Mr Kayani’s family said they have been left with an ‘unimaginable amount of pain’ and that he was ‘a soul too pure for this cruel world’
Crime Scene Investigators on Concorde Way on August 31, the morning after Mr Kayani was stabbed to death
Mohammed Rafaqit Kayani was stabbed in the chest at Keel Drive, Berkshire, around lunchtime on August 30. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he later died
A tribute, written by Mr Kayani’s wife, read: ‘My beautiful husband. A man that truly made this terrible world feel like a fairytale. A loving son, caring brother, selfless friend and proud Muslim man.
‘Words could never capture the true essence of this mesmerising, handsome, sincere and true epitome of beauty, Mohammed Rafaqit Kayani.
‘He excelled in every aspect of his life; a truly indescribable husband, a proud loving family member of the Kayani family as well as flying through his career at Virgin Atlantic always looking dashing as ever beaming with pride in his uniform.
‘There’s not enough time in this world to even slightly begin to really touch on the immensely outstanding character of Rafaqit.’
A tribute from Mr Kayani’s family said: ‘Mohammed Rafaqit Kayani, a name that will live on in the hearts of not only his family, but a world in itself, resided by those whose were lucky to enough to have encountered him.
‘A soul too pure for this cruel world was taken and has returned to its creator, but an unimaginable amount of pain and emptiness remains.
‘If you knew Rafaqit, you knew that there was no literature that could possibly describe the beauty of his character to a justly degree.
‘However, his enormous heart is one place to begin with. His presence lingered a sense of security and his words implemented an instant comfort into those whom he engaged with.’