A father-of-two who was killed in a horrific drive-by shooting had just beaten lung cancer months before his tragic death.

Dale Stogden, 50, known as Brett, had only received the all clear in February after several rounds of chemo and radiotherapy.

The former security guard was gunned down outside a pizza takeaway in Wakefield on August 12.

A police investigation was launched following the shooting and three men have since been charged with Brett’s murder.

Three individuals appeared in Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday, where they pleaded not guilty and were all kept in custody. Their trial is scheduled to begin on February 24, 2026.

Mr. Stogden is survived by two daughters, Piper, 18, and Alyssa, 20, who remembered their father as the ‘kindest and funniest person in the world’.

Diane Green, 60, their former foster mother, spoke to the Daily Mail on Thursday. She is currently raising funds for Mr. Stogden’s funeral through a Gofundme page and described him as a ‘gentle giant’.

She said: ‘Everyone said he was a lovely man, always smiling and everybody described him as always being happy and smiling and joking.

Dale ‘Brett’ Stogden, pictured, a father who was killed in a horrific drive-by shooting had just beaten lung cancer months before his tragic death

Mr Stogden pictured with his daughter Alyssa. He had only received the all clear in February after several rounds of chemo and radiotherapy

The former security guard was shot outside a pizza takeaway in Wakefield on August 12 (pictured: Mr. Stogden with his two daughters, Alyssa on the left, and Piper in the center).

‘He was a gentle giant.

‘He was always very pleasant and polite to me over the years.’

Ms Green, from Barnsley, fostered the pair in 2013 when they were seven and eight years old but is no longer living with them.

‘I was the first port of call,’ she said. ‘They called me when the news broke.

‘I was at the hospital with the girls as their support. Contrary to some reports, I was not there to identify the body.

‘I always kept contact with the family, including him. 

She told the Daily Mail how Piper and Alyssa’s relationship with their father had been evolving in the run up to his heartless murder.

‘They were building a different kind of relationship, as young women getting to know their dad,’ Ms Green added.

Mr Stogden pictured with Piper. His daughters led the tributes to their father describing him as the ‘kindest and the funniest person in world’

The daughters’ former foster mother, Diane Green, is collecting funds for Mr. Stogden’s funeral via a Gofundme page and described him as a ‘gentle giant’.

She fostered the pair in 2013 when they were seven and eight years old but is no longer living with them (pictured: Mr Stogden and Piper)

‘They were going out with him for meals, breakfast and walks along the canal.

‘They also enjoyed listening to music together and having movie nights.

‘They were just getting to know each other.’

The former foster mother also revealed Mr Stogden had just recovered from his lung cancer ordeal months before the drive-by shooting. 

‘Brett was diagnosed with lung cancer last year.

‘Alyssa managed his hospital appointments. He was given the all clear in February this year.’

She added that his daughters had been battling through after the heartbreaking news this month but were struggling to pay for the funeral.

Ms Green said: ‘The whole thing is unbelievable – it is not supposed to happen to your family.

Ms. Green shared with the Daily Mail how Piper, pictured left, and Alyssa’s relationship with their father was developing leading up to his tragic murder.

The former foster mother also revealed Mr Stogden had just recovered from his lung cancer ordeal months before the drive-by shooting

She added that his daughters had been battling through after the heartbreaking news this month but were struggling to pay for the funeral

‘They’re quite resilient young girls. They’re doing their best to try to give him a fitting send off.

‘It is upsetting them, organising the funeral after having to also go to the hospital and identify the body.

‘It is not something you expect to be doing at that age.’

In a statement, his daughters said: ‘Over this last year dad battled lung cancer – Alyssa organised all of his hospital appointments and went with him to St James’ Hospital in Leeds.

‘He got the all clear in February and now he is gone because of one viscous cruel act.

‘Our favourite memories with him were when the 3 of us went to out for breakfast he was always joking around.

‘Sometimes times we would walk to the canal and sit on bench and watch the ducks whilst listening to music.

‘We would have a movie night watch the Simpsons & order deserts these are treasured memories.

A police investigation was launched following the shooting and three men have since been charged with Brett’s murder

His daughters left a moving message with some flowers following his death

South Yorkshire Police have since confirmed Marc Carter, 19, Adam Ahmed, 20, and Leyton Davies, 27, have been charged with the murder of Mr Stogden (Pictured: the scene of the fatal shooting on August 12)

‘Dad had the biggest heart of gold and no matter what he was going through he always had a smile on his face.

‘We will always remember dad as the kindest and the funniest person in world we will miss his smile, funny jokes and the good times we had together.

‘We will really miss him, his voice, his smile and his hugs especially his hugs he was a gentle giant.

‘We will miss and love you forever Dad our memories will keep you close I our hearts.

‘We would like to thank West Yorkshire Police for dealing with our dads death so quickly and efficiently.’

South Yorkshire Police have since confirmed Marc Carter, 19, Adam Ahmed, 20, and Leyton Davies, 27, have been charged with the murder of Mr Stogden.

A spokesperson for the force said: ‘Police investigating the death of a man in Wakefield have charged three males with his murder.

‘The charges relate to the death of Brett Stogden, who died after a shot was fired from a vehicle on Doncaster Road on the evening of Tuesday, 12 August.’