This is the first picture of a schoolboy killed on a country lane as a teenager and a 43-year-old man are held over his suspected murder.
Bobby Bloomfield, 12, was run over and killed in Pilgrims Hatch, near Brentwood, on Sunday.
The schoolboy sustained serious injuries in the Ashwells Road area shortly before 5.40pm and died a short time later in hospital.
His family paid tribute to him, saying: ‘Losing a child is every parent’s nightmare. We are living that nightmare, and no words can ever explain how we are feeling.
‘Bobby brought light and life into all our lives, and we have lost that forever. The hole he has left can never be filled.
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‘We would ask for our privacy to be respected as we pull together as a family at this horrific time.’
Essex Police said they were ‘continuing to support his family and loved ones.’
A 15-year-old boy and a 43-year-old man, both from the Pilgrims Hatch area, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody.
Their detention was extended overnight and police have secured a magistrates’ warrant for further detention.
DCI Greg Wood, who is overseeing the investigation, said: “Our investigation team has been working around the clock as they continue to build a complete picture of the tragic incident on Sunday.
‘This is not straightforward work and there are complexities involved which of course we cannot explore publicly at this stage.
‘This work has included the review of a significant amount of CCTV and obtaining key evidence from those nearby.
‘This work is key to ensuring we understand all aspects of the incident as we progress.’
DCI Louise Metcalfe, added: ‘Our first thoughts are of course with the family of the boy who has tragically died after this incident.
‘By its very nature, this is an evolving investigation which has a number of complexities and will take some time to work through and cannot be rushed.
‘We’re working hard to build a full picture of the circumstances around it, and I’d like to thank those who have already come forward to provide their accounts of what happened.
‘To residents who we have not yet spoken to, I would urge you to please review any CCTV you have from 8am on Sunday 7 June right through to 7pm and please get in touch through our dedicated public portal which has been set up for this incident.’