POLICE have launched a murder inquiry after a teenager from Welling was stabbed to death.

David Wheaton, 19, was killed in Plumstead early on Saturday after a row involving number of other people.

Officers were called by the London Ambulance Service to the Glyndon Estate at 4.30am after Mr Wheaton’s body was found outside a block of flats in Villas Road.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We believe the victim was stabbed during an altercation involving a number of people on the estate and he managed to stagger a short distance to where he was found."

Mr Wheaton was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich where he was pronounced dead. A post mortem examination at Greenwich Mortuary that afternoon gave cause of death as a stab wound to the heart.

The police spokesman added: “We must retain an open mind at this early stage, concerning the circumstances of the assault and any motive. We are anxious to hear from anyone who saw this altercation on the Glyndon Estate."

Mr Wheaton, a single man who lived in Welling, was believed to have been visiting friends on the estate when the tragedy happened.

A highly visible police presence was in the area on Monday with officers speaking to potential witnesses and scenes of crime officers combing the area for clues.

Police have confirmed nine people were questioned after the killing but all have been released.

An incident room has been opened at Lewisham under DCI Will O’Reilly.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4960. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.