These 17 murders in London in 2017 remain unsolved*. Can you help?
Jonathon McPhillips, 28, was stabbed in the chest during a fight between two groups of youths in Upper Street, Islington, in the early hours of 25 February 2017. The father-of-two died four days later in hospital.
Michael Dyra, 22, (29.12.95) of Hoxton, was charged with murder but the prosecution dropped the case on the day he was due to stand trial.
Police offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to a conviction. Call the incident room on 020 8345 3775.
David Adegbite, 18, was shot in the head in St Ann’s, Barking, at around 7.09pm on 19 March 2017.
The former college student was attacked as he cycled through the housing estate while visiting friends.
Nobody has been charged with the murder but police believe it was a case of ‘mistaken identity’.
Read the full report from the inquest (subscribers only).
David’s family said: “Our son David left a vacuum in our heart and home since he departed from this world. We want to appeal to anyone who has information about the people responsible for his death to come forward.”
Detective Inspector Emma Sharp said: “David was just visiting friends when he was shot. He was a popular and much-loved young man who had his whole life ahead of him and that has been cruelly taken from him. David’s family and friends have had their worlds turned upside down and we are determined to get justice for them and for David.
“I’m continuing to appeal for anyone who was in the area of St Ann’s at around the time of David’s murder who saw anything suspicious to come forward. David’s killer is still out there – help us bring his family some closure by finding those responsible. If you know anything, please do the right thing and tell Crimestoppers what you know. The charity will keep you totally anonymous and pass on it on to us.”
Crimestoppers has offered a £20,000 reward for information and can be contacted on 0800 555 111. Call the police incident room with information on 020 8345 3715.
Malachi Brooks, 21, was stabbed to death in the street in a revenge gang attack on 28 March 2017.
He was walking home along Surrey lane in Battersea when a car pulled up and three masked men got out and attacked him shortly after 1am.
Mr Brooks, who had just completed his apprenticeship in carpentry and was looking for work in the construction industry, suffered a fatal stab wound to the heart and was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.55am.
The stolen Red Nissan Micra used to drive the killers to and from the scene was abandoned and set on fire. CCTV footage captured the car being driven to Weir Road industrial estate at 1.20am on 28 March 2017. It was set alight at 4.10am on 29 March. Police said the burning of the car destroyed any possible evidential fingerprint and DNA evidence linking the killers to the crime.
On 2 September 2017 Joel Preddie, 20 (29.08.97) of Chantry Way, Mitcham, was charged with murder but the charge was later dropped. In August 2018 Preddie was sentenced to four years imprisonment for perverting the course of justice and arson relating to the burning of the car. Two other men Abdul Popatpotra, 27 (20.03.91), and Ashrafur Rahman, 23 (23.08.94), were each sentenced to 21 months imprisonment after they were convicted of arson.
Evidence heard in other court proceedings suggested Malachi was targeted by members of the Tooting Trap Stars (TTS) gang as part of a long-running feud with the Battersea-based Stick-em Up Kids (SUK) which also claimed the lives of Lewis Elwin and Mahamed Hassan. However Malachi’s family say he was not a gang member and wanted to avoid trouble.
Malachi was a very popular individual who was loved by many. His cheeky smile and sense of humour never leaves our memories. Malachi was stabbed to death by three different individuals which was very traumatic. The fourth person involved was driving the car which was burnt and abandoned on an industrial estate on Weir Road. Every day I ask myself ‘why my brother?’ Malachi was not a gang member and did not cause any harm to anyone. Malachi was trying to make something out of life. Words cannot explain how angry I feel that no justice has been served and the people that were involved are living life as normal. The pain and grief my family have gone through with Malachi being murdered has caused so many problems. Not only have we lost Malachi but it has split up the family. We are all finding it hard to deal with our emotions which is causing a huge effect.
Malachi’s sister, Rashaune
Police are offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to a prosecution of those responsbile for Malachi’s death.
We remain committed to bringing Malachi’s killers to justice. His family are still grieving, every birthday every Christmas is made even more difficult knowing that his killers have not yet been identified. We know that Malachi’s attackers had been driven to Surrey Lane to commit the murder and driven from the scene. The car used was then abandoned a mere 20 minutes after Malachi was killed, with Popatpotra, Rahmam and Preddie later found responsible for destroying that evidence. I am sure that there are people who Malachi’s murderers are, – most likely those in Tooting or wider South London – have information to help us solve this case. You may be fearful of providing information, or have loyalties that are stopping you from doing so. My message would be to do the right thing and come forward. We are counting on you to get in touch and officers are waiting to take your call in our incident room. We would treat any information provided in the strictest confidence.
DCI John Massey, leading the investigation, in 2019
Contact the police incident room on 020 8721 4868.
Bjorn Brown, a 23-year-old mechanic, was stabbed in Thornton Heath at around 8.33pm on 29 March 2017. He died in hospital five days later.
CCTV footage showed Bjorn having a short conversation with two men at the junction of in Kelling Gardens and Bensham Lane. They then walk into Kelling Gardens, out of view of the camera.
Ninety seconds later the two men were captured running away from the scene of the attack.
CCTV footage shows two male suspects with Bjorn – who was riding his bike – on Bensham Lane before they double back into Kelling Gardens. The two suspects then run back out onto Bensham Lane, followed shortly afterwards by Bjorn on his bike.
A passer-by described seeing one of the suspects move his hand in a stabbing motion towards Bjorn. Bjorn tried to flee on his bicycle but collapsed a few metres away.
He told a witness: “They tried to rob me.” A postmortem concluded he died of severe blood loss from a fatal wound to the shoulder which damaged the axial artery in his arm.
The inquest at South London Coroners Court heard detectives had been unable to identify the suspects despite public appeals for information. Coroner Edmund Gritt recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
Contact the police incident room on 020 8721 4961 or speak anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
Sixteen year-old Karim Samms was shot in the chest in Pier Parade, off Pier Road in North Woolwich at around 10.44pm on 7 April 2017.
He was with friends in when two suspects approached the group and opened fire. Police believe the suspects were taken to and from the scene in a Nissan Juke, which was captured on CCTV.
Contact the incident room on 020 345 3715.
Abdullah Hammia, 24, was stabbed in the heart in Melody Road, Wandsworth, at around 7pm on 25 April 2017. Police said he was attacked during an altercation with a group of males. Two men were charged with murder but the case was dropped before trial. Call the incident room on 020 8721 4054.
Satnam Singh, 45, suffered fatal head injuries when he was beaten with a baseball bat in the street in Hayes at around 10.20pm on 6 March 2017.
He had been walking with a friend along Atlee Road when he was attacked near the junction with Atlee Road.
A witness reported seeing a man following the pair and speaking into a mobile phone before a silver car pulled up and a white male got out of the vehicle and attacked both men with the bat. The suspect then got back in the car and it drove away.
Satnam died in hospital of bronchial pneumonia and head injury on 23 May 2017.
No arrests have been made and the case remains unsolved. A Crimestoppers reward of £10,000 remains on offer for any information that leads to the conviction of the person responsible for his death.
The investigation into Satnam’s murder remains very much active and we continue to appeal for information.
Sadly, Satnam’s uncle, who spoke of his family’s grief back in 2017, has passed away without seeing his nephew’s killer brought to justice. At the time, his uncle spoke of how the whole family were devastated by the attack and how they were desperate to understand why their relative was killed and who is responsible. I hope that someone will come forward with information that can bring this family the peace they deserve.
Despite the passage of time, we still retain an open mind about why Satnam was attacked. I hope that now, anyone who was reluctant to speak with officers in 2017 may feel able to come forward. I would ask anyone who may have witnessed something that night that has played on their mind for the last four years to please get in touch with us.
We are also keen to speak to anyone that knew Satnam at the time, who may be able to provide further information on his lifestyle and extended family.
Detective Inspector Louise Caveen, speaking in 2021
Call the incident room on 0208 358 1010 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Mohanna Abdhou, 20, was hit by a ricocheting bullet during a suspected gang shooting in Kilburn at around 8.54pm on 26 May 2017. She was talking to friends near Dickens House in Malvern Road when two men approached the group on bicycles and opened fire. Three suspects were charged with murder but were cleared of all charges at trial. The prosecution claimed that Mohanna was shot by members of the Harrow Road Boys (HRB), who were involved in ‘tit for tat’ violence with the ‘Killy’ or ‘SK’ from the South Kilburn Estate.
Mahad Ali, 18, was stabbed to death at a party in East Acton on 29 June 2017. Police were called to reports of a fight at the ‘West Wednesday’ Eid celebration in a warehouse in Coronation Road at 2.35am.
Mr Ali, a college student and boxer from Crouch End, was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead at 4.33am. A post-mortem confirmed the cause of death was stab wounds to the chest and abdomen.
A man was charged with murder but the case was discontinued before trial.
Joshua Bwalya, 16, was stabbed to death in Barking, east London, at around 1am on 2 August 2017.
He was chased by a groups of youths on bicycles before being attacked on a traffic island at the junction of Movers Lane and Ripple Road.
Joshua was about to study business at college and played football with Barking FC’s youth team.
Two teenagers were charged with murder but the case was discontinued due to lack of evidence in October 2017.
In September 2021 the Metropolitan Police launched a new appeal for information and released video of the suspects riding bicycles in the lead-up the attack.
DCI Perry Benton said: “This was a cowardly and brutal attack on a young boy who had his whole life ahead of him. We know Joshua was pursued by a group of young people on pedal cycles before being cornered and repeatedly stabbed.
“Over the past four years we have made a number of arrests in this case but we still need the public’s help to bring Joshua’s killers to justice. Somebody out there will have the information we need and I would urge them to do the right thing and come forward.”
The inquest in March 2022 heard evidence suggesting the stabbing bore the hallmarks of a gang attack and the coroner returned a verdict of unlawful killing. Read the full court report here (subscribers only).
To provide information contact the police Incident Room on 020 8345 1570 or to remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Cafer Aslam, a 54-year-old cafe owner of Turkish origin, was found shot dead at the junction of Westminster Road and Bounces Road in Enfield at around 9.10pm on 23 August 2017.
The suspect used a stolen Grey Audi Q5 which had been parked in Huxley Road, Edmonton, in the two days before the murder.
Police are appealing for information about a man seen carrying petrol cans in Henley Road towards the junction with Huxley Road at around 7.35pm, roughly 90 minutes before the shooting.
The Audi Q5 was found burnt out in the Forty Hill area of Enfield forty minutes after the murder.
Six months later his cousin Bulent Kabala, 41, was also shot dead, in Mount Pleasant, Cockfosters, Barnet.
We believe the answers to these murders lie within the Turkish community. In the years that have passed, allegiances may have changed and we hope that someone who previously felt unable to come forward will now be able to do so. Any information – no matter how small you think it is – could be the missing piece of the puzzle we need.
DCI Noel McHugh, Metropolitan Police
Detectives are offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to a conviction. Contact the incident room on 020 8345 3985.
Patrick Oyeri, 29, was stabbed to death during a fight in Rosebery Road, Hounslow, at around 3.35pm on 4 September 2017.
Two men were charged with murder but the case was dropped before trial and they were convicted and jailed for the lesser offence of violent disorder.
This was a terrible event in which a young man lost his life, leaving a family bereft and struggling to understand why this tragedy happened. The inquiry into who murdered Patrick continues and we are still appealing for anyone with information to contact us. Any information the public gives could provide the vital evidence that could bring Patrick’s killer to justice.
Detective Inspector Mark Long
Call the incident room on 020 8721 4054.
Corey Junior Davis, 14, was shot dead at a playground in Forest Gate on 4 September 2017.
The teenager was socialising with friends in Moore Walk at around 3.08pm when a Range Rover pulled up nearby.
A gunman got out and fired two shots from a shotgun. Corey was hit in the head and died in hospital at 10.01pm the following day.
A 17 year-old boy suffered injuries to his leg.
His mother, Keisha McLeod, said: “Until my son’s murderer is brought to justice, I’m unable to move on or have any type of closure. CJ was a fun, loving, kind and handsome young boy. He loved dancing and would make us join in with his routines. He was incredibly talented and had so much to live for. I won’t give up on my campaign for justice until my son’s killer is behind bars and that’s why I’m asking anyone with any information to speak to the police.
“When a child dies, it’s okay to speak. Your conscience would be clean. You’d be able to sleep at night knowing you’ve done justice to a boy who was loving life, putting an end to a family that’s still grieving. We’ve had no form of justice.”
Police believe Corey was being groomed by older gang members in the months leading up to his death. He was added to the gangs matrix in December 2016 because of his links to the Woodgrange E7 gang and had told his mother he was being pressured to sell drugs. It is thought the killers were from the rival Beckton E6 gang.
However detectives said they did not believe that Corey was directly targeted.
There was nothing remarkable, no altercation, no lead up to the attack, which was completely random and unprovoked, it appears, making it all the more dangerous. We’ve never believed it was a targeted attack. We think the area was targeted because people in certain groups hang around those areas, and CJ just happened to be there with some friends.
There was a group of young people in that car park. it’s inconceivable that nobody has any idea of the identity of who’s responsible. We just need the people that know this information to look into your hearts and conscience, come forward to us in confidence and tell us what you know.
DCI Dave Whellams, making an appeal for information in March 2024
A pre-inquest hearing in February 2024 heard that the police investigation had “hit a wall” because a potential witness was unwilling to give evidence against the killers.
Detectives have appealed for information about a stolen a metallic grey 2011 Range Rover Sport HSE TDV6 seen leaving the scene at around 3.15pm.
The car had been stolen two weeks earlier in the Balham area. Just before the shooting it was seen travelling east, from the Beckton area, along the Romford Road towards the A406.
Three people were arrested during the investigation, in June 2018, February 2019 and March 2023, but all were released.
A £20,000 reward for information remains on offer for information leading to a conviction. Contact the incident room on 020 8345 3775.
Jude Gayle, 30, was stabbed to death in an alleyway off Dunelm Grove, West Norwood, at around 5.39pm on 24 September 2017. He died at the scene at 6.42pm.
The father-of-two had been preparing an evening meal for family members before driving to a nearby corner shop on the junction of Dunbar Street and Norwood High Street. He was stabbed as he left the shop.
Three men were acquitted of murder by an Old Bailey jury in April 2018 after a trial. Their defence to the charge was that they were innocent bystanders.
Police are still investigating the case and have previously offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.
Jude’s mother, Pett Roach said: “I have just accepted that Jude will not be coming back from the shop. He is gone. No one can bring him back. We are left to pick up the pieces and continue with our lives. All I can hope for and all I want is justice, no more, no less. I want those responsible for killing my son, convicted and served the maximum penalty.”
Jude’s partner Rachel Goodchild said: “Through the careless actions of others I’ve been forced into bringing up our children alone and I owe it to them and to the memory of Jude to get justice. So I am pleading from the deepest part of me please if you or anybody you know has any information no matter how big or small please help with the ongoing investigation. We need new compelling evidence, help us get JUSTICE FOR JUDE!”
Detectives believe that some witnesses are yet to come forward.
Jude was a family man and those who loved him have been left bereft. Nobody has been convicted of his murder and every day they have had to live without justice for their father, son and brother. A number of witnesses came forward with information over the course of the last few years and we remain very grateful for this. However, I am convinced there are some people who have not yet come forward who could, even three years on, make a significant contribution to the investigation. This remains a live investigation and please do not think that anything you have to share with us is redundant – we are ready to take your call. We also understand there are reasons which may have stopped you from calling police. If you still do not want to talk to us directly, you can call Crimestoppers which is 100 per cent anonymous. If you have information about who did this, please know that we really want to hear from you. Jude’s family have previously spoken eloquently of the pain of their loss and their desire to get justice for Jude. If you have been holding back, for whatever reason, I urge you now to examine your conscience, come forward and do the right thing.
DCI Timothy Wright, Metropolitan Police
Call the incident room on 020 8721 4961 or via 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Adetokunbo Jordan Ajobo, 21, was stabbed to death in North Woolwich on 8 November 2017. Police and paramedics were called to Pier Road at around 8.10pm. Jordan was pronounced dead at hospital at 9.30pm. A post-mortem confirmed the cause of death was a stab wound. The Metropolitan Police is still appealing for help tracing Cristiano Filipe, 21, in connection with the murder investigation.
Contact the police via 101 or provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Alex Vanderpuye, 23, was stabbed in the chest in Christie Road, Hackney, at around 4.45pm on 7 December 2017.
Witnesses said he was attacked by a man – who appeared to know the victim – suddenly after a short conversation. The motive is unknown. An inquest recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
Taofeek Lamidi, 20, was stabbed repeatedly in the street in West Ham on New Years Eve 2017.
He was found injured in Memorial Avenue, West Ham, at around 7.37pm. Paramedics and police attempted to resuscitate him at the scene but he was pronounced dead at 8.22pm.
A postmortem gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the heart.
The case remains unsolved but in December 2022 detectives named the suspected killer as Ahmed Mohamed, then aged 25.
Mohamed is believed to have fled to Kenya after the attack.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Our investigation very much remains ongoing.
“Taofeek’s family deserve justice and we will not rest until we locate those responsible and bring them before the courts.
“If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Ahmed Mohamed, then I urge you to please do the right thing get in touch with us.”
DCI Jolley added: “Taofeek was repeatedly stabbed, and was found lying in the street suffering horrific injuries from which he did not recover. Violent incidents such as this have no place on London’s streets, and we are following up a number of lines of enquiry to locate Mohamed.
“Memorial Avenue is a busy residential area close to West Ham station. I know that there were people in the area who witnessed the incident, and I need them to come forward. Any information provided will be treated with the strictest confidence.”
Call the police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD2194/24DEC22. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
*Unsolved as in nobody has been convicted or is awaiting trial for murder. This list does not include ‘lawful’ homicides such as those carried out in self defence.
