THE former fiancé of a 37-year-old stabbed to death in a Brighton flat has spoken of her “heartbreak”.

Liverpool man Graeme Pethard was stabbed to death in a flat on Taunton Road, Bevendean, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Andrea Miller, 31, who is also the mother of Graeme’s four children, said: “He lived for his kids. No one has ever made me happier.”

The pair met when Andrea was just 15 and they fell in love shortly after.

They had four children together, Chloe, 13, Kaitlyn, 11, Libby, nine and Charlea, six.

Speaking to The Argus from her |Liverpool home, she added: “He would do anything for them.

“He would take them anywhere, buy them anything – they really had him wrapped round their finger.

“They are all devastated. The youngest was saying that I was lying and the oldest keeps saying that she expects him to walk through the door.

“It’s just horrible, I can’t believe it.”

Andrea said that Graeme would often visit Brighton to see old friends.

She added: “I spoke to him about 5pm on Friday and he said he was coming back that night to watch the FA Cup final.

“He had a drink so couldn’t drive and decided to stay the night. He was a huge Liverpool fan so wanted to be back to see them on Saturday.

‘A lovely man’ “He got a Liverpool tattoo on his chest after they won the Champions League.

“He was just a lovely, bubbly man. He was the life and soul of the party and everyone is going to miss him, especially the kids.

“I still can’t believe it but I know I have to stay strong for them.”

Police were called to the Bevendean flat in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Paramedics desperately tried to save the 37-year-old but he died at the scene.

Detective Inspector Phil Mays, who is leading the investigation, said: “This has been a fast paced investigation and I’m grateful for the support we have had from the people of Bevendean, who have no doubt experienced some disruption to their daily lives over the last few days.

“A knife was recovered on Sunday not far from the scene and will be forensically examined in due course.

“High visibility patrols will remain in and around the Bevendean area over the coming days and again I would like to appeal again to anyone who has information that could assist the investigation and has not yet come forward, to please call 101 quoting Op Abinger or call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.”