Sunderland murder probe: Workmates of Connor Brown say they will 'never come to terms' with losing compassionate and funny colleague
![Connor Brown, pictured second left, with the Happy House Surgery team as the practice in 2017 was nominated for a Best of Health Awards held early last year. The group was a winner in the Best GP Practice category.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/legacy_ash_106527345.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Connor Brown, pictured second left, with the Happy House Surgery team as the practice in 2017 was nominated for a Best of Health Awards held early last year. The group was a winner in the Best GP Practice category.](/img/placeholder.png)
The 18-year-old worked as a member of the reception team at the award-winning Happy House Surgery in Durham Road.
The group collected the GP Practice of the Year Award at last year's Best of Health Awards, which is run by the Echo.
![Connor Brown, pictured second left, with the Happy House Surgery team as the practice in 2017 was nominated for a Best of Health Awards held early last year. The group was a winner in the Best GP Practice category.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/legacy_ash_106527345.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Connor Brown, pictured second left, with the Happy House Surgery team as the practice in 2017 was nominated for a Best of Health Awards held early last year. The group was a winner in the Best GP Practice category.](/img/placeholder.png)
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Hide AdWhile tributes continue to be paid through Connor, with flowers left close to the scene of where he was attacked in Sunderland city centre and messages posted online, a special area has been set aside in the minster to give people a place to pray and remember him.
Today, as the murder investigation continues into his death in the early hours of yesterday morning, his workmates have issued a statement about their loss.
![Connor Brown.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/legacy_ash_1.9615400.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Connor Brown.](/img/placeholder.png)
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Hide AdA spokesman for the practice said: "The whole practice is devastated by the news of the death of Connor.
"As a member of the reception team he was exemplary and his talents will be a huge loss to both the practice and the NHS as a whole.
"It is, however, his compassion, his wonderful, witty personality which we will never forget.
![Tributes have been left to Connor Brown near to the scene of the attack.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/legacy_ash_1.9615401.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Tributes have been left to Connor Brown near to the scene of the attack.](/img/placeholder.png)
"He was a truly lovely lad who was loved by staff and patients alike, who we will never come to terms with losing and our deepest condolences go out to his family."