The heartbroken family of a teen stabbed to death have pleaded with his suspected killers to hand themselves in after they were feared to have fled the country.

Dad-to-be Jamie Meah, 18, was stabbed to death by knifemen who pounced on him and a 16-year-old boy while they were passengers in a taxi last March. Jamie was riding in the taxi during rush hour with his younger friend when another vehicle brought the cab to a halt and three men leapt out to attack them.

The other teen was left seriously injured in the horror attack in Leeds on March 31 last year. West Yorkshire Police said four suspects - Aquade Jeffers, Caleb Awe, Enham Nishat, 21, and Ranei Wilks, 22 - are believed to have fled abroad.

The force said inquiries showed they had initially travelled to Liverpool before leaving the country before they were named as suspects in the killing.

Jamie Meah was stabbed to death on Hall Lane, Armley, on March 31, 2023.

Speaking as the first anniversary of his death approaches, Jamie's family said his baby son faces growing up without a father.

In a statement released by police, they said: "We are still absolutely devastated that Jamie has been taken from us so cruelly and unfairly. Every single day over the last year has been so painful for us all, as we struggle to come to terms with what has happened.

"Jamie's son was born in November last year and now faces his future growing up without ever knowing his father, which is something no child should have to live with. Jamie was looking forward to being a father, but that opportunity was snatched away by those responsible for his murder.

"We still desperately want to see the people responsible for Jamie's murder answer for what they have done, and we feel we can't begin to move on until that has happened."

(clockwise from top left) Aquade Jeffers, Enham Nishat, Ranei Wilks and Caleb Awe are wanted over the murder of Jamie Meah in Armley. Photo: West Yorkshire Police

Murder squad detectives continue to carry out extensive enquiries to locate the four suspects and are liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service, police said.

Detective chief inspector Damian Roebuck said: "Although a year has now passed since Jamie's murder, his family understandably remain utterly heartbroken at his death at such a young age and in such violent circumstances.

"We are determined to keep doing everything we can to see that those responsible are brought to justice and that Jamie's family finally get the answers they need. We are still appealing to the public for any information that could assist the investigation, particularly anyone who may have knowledge of the current whereabouts of the four suspects we have named."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Family pleads for murder suspects to give themselves up after 'fleeing country'