A young motorbike fan has been revealed as one of the six victims in three days to have been killed by a deadly batch of Class A drugs.
Cian Daly, 20, has been named locally as one of the victims struck down within a 10-mile radius of Southend-on-Sea.
Police have issued an urgent warning following the drug-related deaths and friends and family have now paid tribute to Cian, with one describing him as 'the most clever person' they knew.
Essex Police said six people have died in the Southend area since Sunday after taking substances, adding it was an 'obvious concern' and officers are investigating whether they are linked.
Police said the substances involved were Class A drugs but added they did not know what type or if more than one was involved. It is understood they are not contaminated.
Cian Daly (pictured above) has been named locally as one of the six victims to have been struck down by the drugs
Police are investigating after six drug-related deaths in Essex in 36 hours, pictured on this map
People took to social media overnight to pay tribute to Cian, with the Basildon Echo reporting that he helped to teach young disabled people to fish.
One social media user said: 'Not only was Cian one of the most clever people I know (he could strip a bike engine up and down for fun when he was 16), he was also one of the kindest people I know.
'If you were ever in trouble, you knew Cian would be there for you, whatever the situation.'
The first case took place on Sunday when a woman in her 30s was found dead in Southend.
A woman in her 40s was the most recent casualty after she was found unresponsive in Canvey Island yesterday.
On Monday a man in his 20s was found dead in Leigh-on-Sea and police then discovered the body of a woman in her 30s in Westcliff later the same day.
On Tuesday officers found the bodies of a man in his 40s in Canvey Island and a man in his 20s in Benfleet.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Jennings, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: 'These deaths in the space of around 36 hours in one area of Essex is an obvious concern and my team are working hard to establish if they are linked.
They include the deaths of a man in his 40s and a woman in her 40s, both in Canvey Island (file picture)
'Part of that work is to identify exactly what the substance or substances involved are and more tests are needed to do that.
'At this stage I believe the deaths may be linked to the taking of Class A drugs and I would urge anyone considering taking them not to.
'Another element of our investigation is identify where the substances involved have come from and I need anyone who has information about the sale of Class A drugs in south Essex – or elsewhere in the county – to come forward.'
On Monday, a man in his 20s was found dead at an address in Leigh-on-Sea (file photo)
Chief Superintendent Kevin Baldwin added: 'We are concerned by these deaths and have dedicated officers working around the clock to investigate the circumstances.
'At this stage we believe these incidents are contained to the south of the county but part of our inquiries is to see whether other parts of Essex are affected.
'We believe the deaths are linked to the taking of Class A drugs and are carrying out tests to establish exactly what the substance or substances involved are.
'Until we have the results of those tests we're not going to speculate about what's involved or how it was taken.
'Our message is clear though – if you are considering taking Class A drugs, please don't.'
Public Health England has also issued advice urging addicts to be 'careful about what they take'.
A woman in her 30s was also found dead in nearby Westcliff. Police say they do not know what the Class A substance responsible is (file picture of Westcliff)
A spokesman said: 'We are urging drug users to be extra careful about what they are taking. We strongly advise them not to use alone and to test a small amount first.
'They need to look out for each other and be alert to any signs of an overdose, such as lack of consciousness, shallow or no breathing, 'snoring', and blueing of the lips and fingertips.
'They should immediately call for an ambulance and use any available naloxone if someone overdoses on opioids. We strongly advise all dependent drug users to get support from local drug services.'
NHS England has also advised anyone who has taken drugs who may be concerned to call their NHS 111 helpline.
Anyone with information on the deaths or the sale of Class A drugs in the area should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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News Photo Pictured: Motorbike fan, 20, is one of six victims in three days of killer batch of Class A drugs Advertising
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