The case of 18 year-old Oluwadamilola Odeyingbo has been removed from the database after the Metropolitan Police concluded it was not a homicide.
Their decision was taken after a special post-mortem gave a cause of death as multiple organ failure from a pre-existing medical condition.
The police statement reads:
The cause of death has been established for an 18-year-old man who died in Chislehurst in January.
Oluwadamilola Odeyingbo, 18, died in hospital on the morning of 10 January 2018 from injuries sustained following a reported altercation in Empress Drive just after 21:00hrs the previous evening.
A post-mortem examination conducted on 12 January failed to establish a cause of death. A special post-mortem has now concluded gave a cause of death as multiple organ failure from a pre-existing medical condition.
Officers from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, having consulted with the CPS, are satisfied that no offences of murder or manslaughter have been committed.
There are ongoing enquiries in relation to other offences not linked to the death of Mr Odeyingbo.
Here is our original case summary for the record:
Oluwadamilola Odeyingbo, 18, died after being assaulted in Chislehurst.
He was found collapsed in a garden in Empress Drive at around 9pm on 9 January 2018.
Mr Odeyingbo died in hospital the next morning.
An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on 10 January before being released on bail.
Detective Chief Inspector Tim Wright, said: “We understand that neighbours and people passing through the area witnessed the incident on Tuesday evening. We are keen to speak to all witnesses and would encourage them to come forward as soon as possible.
“A young man has lost his life and we are doing everything we can to piece together what took place.”
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4961 – you can also tweet @MetCC. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.
These 14 murders in London in 2016 remain unsolved*. Can you help?
Abdi GutaleAndrew Oteng-OwusuDavid RobinsonHarjit Singh-DulaiKacper LatuszekLewis ElwinMatthew KitandweMohammed KakayZiggy Worrell-OwusuRukevwe Tadafe Jordan BariMohammed HassanJames Owusu-AgyekumJunior George Nelson
Harjit Singh Dulai, 44, was stabbed to death after meeting a drug dealer in Rosedale Park off Albion Road in Hayes at around 6.40pm on 27 January 2016. A 16 year-old boy was acquitted of murder in July 2016 but police continue to appeal for information. Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The skeletal remains of Junior George Nelson, 52, from Kilburn, were discovered on an overgrown embankment in Rabournmead Drive, Northolt, on 13 March 2016.
It is not known how long his body had been there and a postmortem examination was unable to ascertain a cause of death.
Junior was last seen alive at his home in Aldershot Road, Kilburn, at around noon on 15 August 2015. Police believe he travelled towards Wembley that afternoon, which was “not a usual journey he would take.”
Analysis of mobile phone data show that his phone was used in the Stonebridge Park area of Wembley at around 10pm. His phone has never been recovered.
Junior was reported missing on 21 August.
Junior Nelson
Detectives said that they believed his death was connected to the supply of drugs, and that before his death he was being taken advantage of by those involved in drug dealing in the area.
During a renewed public appeal in 2025, the independent charity Crimestoppers offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.
Four people have been arrested during the investigation but all were released without charge.
Detective Constable Iain McDonald said: “We remain committed to finding those responsible for Junior’s death but need the public’s help. There are people amongst the community, in particularly the Kilburn area, who know what happened to Junior.
“A lot can happen in ten years. Allegiances can change and maybe you felt unable to talk to us at the time, for whatever reason, but you are now in a position to do so. Now is the time to come forward.
“We understand that those with information may be concerned, but I would urge anyone who can help to come forward and help give Junior’s family the justice they deserve.
“A substantial reward is available from Crimestoppers, who are a charity, independent of to the police. – They will not ask for your personal details when you contact them, just for any information that could help identify who is responsible for Junior’s murder. To qualify for this reward, you must provide information directly to them.
“You can also speak to our investigation team. Any information you have, no matter how small, could be significant and will be treated with the strictest confidence.”
To provide information anonymously, and claim the reward, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
Lewis Elwin, 20, was stabbed to death in Tooting on 18 April 2016.
The trainee electrician collapsed near a primary school in Penwortham Road at around 3.47pm.
His murder remains unsolved and police continue to appeal for information about a silver five-door Peugeot 307 registration KP03 ZTD seen in the area at the time.
Call the incident room on 0208 721 4005.
Rukevwe Tadafe, 21, was stabbed twice in the chest during a fight with three men in Molesworth Street, Lewisham, at around 8.40pm on 30 April 2016. He died in hospital five days later.
A 23 year-old man was acquitted of murder in November 2016 after telling jurors at the Old Bailey that, while he fought with the victim, he was not responsible for the fatal stab wounds. Call the incident room on 020 8345 3775
Abdi Gutale, a 24 year-old minicab driver, was shot dead as he drove his Vauxhall Zafira near the junction of Melbourne Road and Capworth Street in Leyton at around 3.15am on 14 May 2016. A friend in the car suffered a gunshot wound to the foot. A man was charged with murder but the case was discontinued before trial. Call the incident room on 020 8345 3865.
Matthew Kitandwe, 18, was stabbed to death outside his home in Wayford Street, Battersea on 21 June 2016. He was a student at South Thames College who had played football for the Ugandan youth team. Call the incident room on 020 8721 4054.
Mohammed Hassan, 35, was stabbed to death on the Winstanley Estate in Battersea at around 6.06pm on 3 August 2016. Two other men, aged 33 and 35, also suffered stab injuries. Police described it as “a violent attack in broad daylight.” Call the incident room on 020 8721 4005.
Andrew Oteng-Owusu, 19, collapsed on his front doorstep in Sharratt Street, New Cross, after being stabbed at around 11.41pm on 3 August 2016. He died in hospital the next morning. Friends described him as a “gentle giant” who was a carer for his mother. Call the incident room on 020 8721 4961.
David Robinson, 25, was shot four times at the Big House 101 recording studio in Sunnyside Road, Hornsey Rise, shortly before 9pm on 20 August 2016. Firearms experts concluded the weapon may have been a Smith and Wesson revolver. Call the incident room on 020 8345 3775.
Jordan Bari, 20, was shot in the stomach when he answered the door at a block of flats in Bethnal Green at around 8.05pm on 3 October 2016.
Mr Bari, a Taekwondo black belt who lived in Stratford, had gone to the flat to celebrate his friend’s birthday. He suffered a critical injury to his abdomen and was pronounced dead at the scene at William Rathbone House in Florida Street shortly after 8.45pm.
Police believed four suspects were involved in the attack on the flat, which was being used for drug dealing. It was thought the motive was linked to a £3,200 drug debt.
CCTV footage released by police showed three men running away into Derbyshire Street towards Brady Street. Two of the men can be seen passing something between themselves.
Three men were charged with murder: Bobby Lawrence, 21 (01.08.95) of Canonbury Street, Islington, Abdallah Salaheedin, 28, (20.12.87) of Spring Gardens, and Billy Flynn. However in January 2017 the prosecution dropped the murder charge and announced they were proceeding with the lesser charge of manslaughter.
All three suspects went on trial at the Old Bailey on 19 June 2017. They were each acquitted of manslaughter and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence on 7 July 2017.
The fourth suspect was named in court as Sami Carter, 24, from Highbury. He was still wanted by police and was thought to have fled the country.
Contact the incident room on 020 8345 3734 or give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Kacper Latuszek, 31, was found dead at a house in Forest Road, Walthamstow, at arund 10.35pm on 8 October 2016. A post-mortem revealed the cause of death was internal bleeding. Call the incident room on 020 8345 3715.
Ziggy Worrell-Owusu, 19, was stabbed at an 18th birthday party at the Basement Lounge Shisha bar in Goodmayes Road, Ilford, at around 12.40am on 27 October 2016.
Police said there were around 100 people at the party when Ziggy was stabbed in the groin during a fight. Witnesses said he was trying to break it up.
Call the incident room on 020 8345 3865.
James Owusu-Agyekum, 22, was shot five times on his doorstep in Tynsdale Road, Harlesden, at around 10.45pm on 2 November 2016.
Detectives believe the student was targeted by two suspects on a bicycles after being mistaken for someone else amid a dispute between two local gangs.
After the shooting, the suspects rode off towards the nearby Stonebridge estate.
Police want to identify the two people riding bicycles
James was a popular young man from a devout Christian family and had taken time out of his studies to care for his disabled mother.
It is still fresh in my mind. I have days where I see him dying in my arms all over again. There has been no comfort in not knowing who or why these people heartlessly took my son’s life. Not knowing anything makes each and every day harder. James would do anything to help anyone. Now he needs everyone to help him.
Deborah Owusu, James’ mother
Nobody has been charged and the Metropolitan Police are offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.
Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin said: “Four years have passed since James’ life was cruelly taken from him. His family have had to live with the pain and torment of knowing his killer is still out there for all these years. They have not given up, and neither have we, and we are more determined than ever that we will catch those responsible for this terrible crime. James was a much-loved young man who would do anything for his family. He was a university student with big dreams and a bright future ahead of him. Sadly, all of that was brutally taken from him. Anyone with any information, no matter how small the detail, is asked to get in touch. Help us get justice for James and bring his family a small measure of peace.”
Call the Incident Room on 020 8785 8244 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Mohamed Kakay, 33, was stabbed to death in the gardens of St Giles Church in Camberwell Church Street, Camberwell, at around 9.15am on Saturday 19 November 2016.
Police said Mr Kakay had spent the night at a flat in Wilson Road before entering the gardens at the rear of the church with two suspects shortly before he was stabbed.
The suspects were seen leaving via the front of the church as the congregation were coming out. Call the incident room on 020 8721 4961.
*unsolved cases are defined in this case as those where nobody has been charged with murder or manslaughter, or nobody has been convicted.
Redwan El-Ghaidouni, 38, was shot dead in a suspected ‘hit’ outside his home in Vine, Lane Uxbridge on 3 February 2015.
The father-of-three was sat in his Audi A3 on the driveway when he was approached by a lone gunman who fired eight shots through the car window shortly before 7pm. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8pm.
Police described the killer as a man in a dark hooded top with a large motif on the front, light bottoms, dark gloves and dark shoes. DCI Noel McHugh said: “We have released CCTV footage of the man we believe murdered Redwan making off after the shooting and also visiting the area before the incident. He had been seen in Saunders Road, which is next to Vine Lane, numerous times in the days before the murder – we believe these were failed attempts by the suspect to get an opportunity to shoot Redwan.”
CCTV of suspect after murder
Police said Redwan had a criminal past and was previously linked to drug importation. He had been released from prison almost seven months before his death and was working full-time at a car dealership.
I was expecting my beloved Redwan to return home from work to look after our three children. As he arrived home he was executed and he never stood a chance. Our three young children will now grow up without their loving father. His mother, father and siblings are left without a son and brother. We would like to appeal to the public to assist the police with any information they can provide. We are left numb with pain and he will be greatly missed.’
Mr El-Ghaidouni’s partner Samantha Taitt
Call the incident room on 020 8785 8099.
Terry Isaacs, 56, died in hospital from multiple head injuries five days after he was found injured in Bannister Close, Tulse Hill, at 7.44am on 19 February 2015.
He was last seen in Christchurch Road at 12.51am, when it is believed he was heading home to Brixton. Police appealed for information about a missing blue bag, a wallet, a metal tobacco tin, an Alcatel mobile phone and a Samsung mobile phone. Contact the incident room on 020 8721 4054.
Ola Raji, a 21-year-old student, was shot and stabbed as he cycled home in Peckham, south London, on 21 April 2015.
He had spent that evening at a friend’s house watching the Champions League football match between Bayern Munich and Porto.
Ola was cycling through the East Surrey Grove estate near Commercial Way when he was attacked by two men at around 10.30pm.
Ola Raji
In the early stages of the investigation the Metropolitan Police appealed for information about two suspects seen running into Sumner Road. It is thought they turned into Rosemary Road and headed in the direction of the Surrey Canal Path.
Three people were arrested on suspicion of murder but nobody was ever charged.
When we get together, there is always that sense of something missing. There are children who never get to know their Uncle, who would still be so young even now. The laughter we share is that little less loud. There is a smile absent in the photographs.
But this is not just about our family. It’s about safety on the streets of Peckham and the wider south London area. There is no doubt the people who did this once could carry out similar attacks again. Maybe they already have.
We are getting closer to the truth – for example, we now know about phone calls Ola received shortly before the attack. Just the smallest piece of evidence from any witnesses or those with knowledge of what happened could be enough to put those responsible behind bars and make the streets safer for the entire community.
Ola’s sisters Zainab Raji and Ruki Ware, speaking in 2025
In April 2025 the independent Crimestoppers charity offered £20,000 for the identification and prosecution of those responsible for the murder. To claim the reward call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Detectives appealed for help tracing potential witnesses including a woman driving a black Vauxhall Corsa in the area between 9.45pm and 11pm and two men who were seen returning to an address in Pear Court at 11.10pm.
DCI Alex Gammampila, leading the investigation, said: “Ola was an innocent man, in the wrong place at the worst time. His murder has devastated his friends and family, and those in the local community.
“We continue to appeal for anyone who has any information to come forward. Were you out in Peckham that night? Were you also watching the football that night, or were you near Commercial Way? Did you see or hear the shooting or anything that struck you as being unusual?
“No piece of information is too small, and could be the final piece of the puzzle that leads us to identify Ola’s attackers.”
To provide information to the police call 101 or message @MetCC on X, giving the reference 2597/16APR25. Photos or videos can be uploaded to the dedicated appeal page.
Lukey Maxwell, 22, was stabbed in the back in Northumberland Park, Tottenham, on 5 June 2015. Police charged Arthur Gorol, 36, with murder but the case was discontinued due to insufficient evidence on 17 August 2015. Contact the incident room on 020 8358 0200.
Erdogan Guzel, 42, was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Lordship Lane, Wood Green, on 10 July 2015. Police said he was an innocent father-of-two who happened to be standing outside the bakery his family owned when shots were fired from the rear passenger window of a black Honda Civic. A woman was also injured.
CCTV of gunman’s car before drive-by shooting
My brother’s children have had to endure the pain of losing him, during what should by rights have been carefree years. The loss of their father, who was taken from them in such a cruel way, has caused serious, emotional trauma. Although I have done my best to support them in coming to terms with this, nothing can make up for what happened that day in 2015. Erdogan was a key figure in the family bakery business and as such, the family has struggled to operate effectively without him – this has resulted in heavy debt and very sadly, his children have lost their family home in Tottenham. I would like to appeal directly to anyone who has even the smallest piece of information which could assist police, whether this is about his killers or something else which you haven’t yet shared with the investigation team.
Erdogan’s brother Yunus Guzel
Contact the incident room on 020 8345 1570.
Marvin Couson, 39, died 13 years after being shot outside a bar in Curtain Road, Shoreditch.
In the early hours of 12 May 2002 Marvin, who was then aged 26 and living in West Norwood while working fitting security systems for retailers, was enjoying a night out at the Lime in London Bar (now known as the Queen of Hoxton) with his cousin and a friend.
At around 3.40am, when there were around 200 people inside the bar, a dispute broke out between one of the promoters of the ‘Ouch’ garage and hip-hop event and group of between 10 and 15 black men.
Another man approached the group, lifted his arm and fired a small handgun. A large crowd of people, including Marvin and his friend, left the bar and moved into Curtain Road and Worship Street.
Outside the bar, Marvin’s friend was hit by a T-reg red or burgundy Ford Fiesta driving fast along Curtain Road. He grappled with the front seat passenger before a gun was fired. When he walked back towards the bar he saw Marvin lying on the ground with a bullet wound to the chest.
After surgery to repair the damage to his heart and other internal organs, he was transferred to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability in Putney. He was unable to care for himself or leave his hospital bed. He could not communicate and had no capacity to understand anything said to him.
Marvin Couson in 2009
Marvin died in hospital on 8 August 2015 from a brain injury he suffered as a result of being shot.
Police believe that he was the innocent victim of a dispute between organised criminal gangs from London and Birmingham. Marvin himself was not involved in gangs or criminality.
No one has ever been charged with the murder.
During a renewed appeal in 2022, DCI Geoff Grogan said: “It is impossible to imagine the pain and suffering Marvin’s family have gone through, enduring years of heartache, visiting his hospital bedside every day for 13 years while he lay there before finally succumbing to his injuries.
“We need your help to end this and help them see justice. Where you there that night? Were you one of those in the car with the man who fatally shot Marvin? Maybe you are scared as you feel embroiled in his actions but there was only one person who pulled that trigger and that is the person we need to find. Loyalties and allegiances change over time.
“Do you have any other information, no matter how small? Was there chat at the time, or since? It’s a long time ago but you would know if you were there and you were know if you were keeping information to yourself that could help our investigation and Marvin’s family. Put yourself in their shoes and do the right thing.”
For 13 years Marvin was imprisoned and we visited him every day in hospital. To whoever killed Marvin, my little boy, you tried to kill our family. No-one should suffer like this. I would like those young boys who take guns and knives to look at the consequences of their actions. There are real people behind your cowardly actions.
Marvin’s mother Emily, speaking in 2016
Marvin wasn’t involved in crime, he loved life and his family, he had the best years of his life ahead of him. His two children are now grown up and have been robbed of the precious memories they should have had with their father. We cannot move on and we cannot give up our fight for justice. I’m asking kindly for anyone with information to think of what we have endured and please please come forward to police or anonymously to Crimestoppers with anything you know.
Marvin’s sister Margaret, speaking in 2022
Contact the police on 020 8785 8099 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Tadas Jarusevicius, 29, was found beaten to death under a flyover near Plumstead Railway Station at around 2pm on 23 September 2015. The Lithuanian national had suffered blunt force trauma to the head and neck. It is believed he had been living under the bridge with a group of other homeless men. Contact the incident room on 020 8721 4205.
*Unsolved as in no suspects are awaiting trial for murder or manslaughter, or have been convicted.
The Metropolitan Police is now refusing to release full lists of murder victims under the Freedom of Information Act – making it more difficult to check their figures.
Most murders are publicised in one way or the other, whether through media reports, police appeals or court cases. But often our figures do not match up to those provided by the police. So when we attempted to get a list of homicide victims for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 in an attempt to check whether we had missed any cases, our request was refused. Instead we were allowed only total figures:
2012 – 106 2013 – 109 2014 – 92
We also asked for a breakdown by nationality, but the Met were not prepared to give figures for any nationality where the number was less than 5. As a result, the statistics for the three years in total read:
UK 106 Poland 12 Lithuania 5 Somalia 5
The nationalities with less than five victims are: US, Cyprus, Russia, Spain, Nigeria, Latvia, Turkey, Jamaica, China, Australia, Pakistan, Ghana, Albania, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Kosovo, Rwanda, Hungary, India, Portugal, Italy, Bangladesh, Kenya, Algeria, Iran, Fiji, Ireland, South Africa, Bulgaria, Columbia, Vietnam.
When we asked for a review of the decision, on the basis that similar requests had been granted, we were told: ‘Every FoIA request received by the MPS is considered on a case-by-case basis and no precedent is set by previous non-disclosures or disclosures as in this case, where a public authority may have previously released similar information in the past.’
The reasons for giving only a partial disclosure are that:
Disclosure of information contained within the requested information… would have a negative effect on the relationship between the police and victims or witnesses of incidents who would expect that information provided to the police would be held in confidence and that publication of information by way of a freedom of information request would damage this trust, potentially impacting on the flow of information into the MPS
To disclose any additional information may harm the MPS in its ability in the prevention and detection of crime and the apprehension or prosecution of offenders
Disclosure of the names of the victims, would be likely to cause distress to their families, as there would be no reasonable expectation that the MPS would release this information without the consent of the family.
We understand and accept the third objection, but continue to believe that the public interest is in the identity of all homicide victims being in the public domain rather than kept secret for whatever reason.
Sometimes the justice system fails the family of murder victims.
Five years ago Nattallie Correa, 27, was found battered to death after a fire at her flat in Dagenham. Her boyfriend, who escaped the blaze with her two youngest children, was charged but acquitted after a retrial at the Old Bailey.
Nattallie’s family are now left in limbo.
As her sister Mellissa says in a letter to murdermap:
The worst thing is the murderer is walking free right now due to the justice system. It is a disgrace and the pain my family are still going through is never going to leave us, because it is like the justice system has given up on the whole case, when really someone from outside the case should look over everything properly because my sister is too special to get forgotten about.
My sister’s case is listed as unsolved. So what does that mean that she murdered herself and set herself on fire? Please if anything at all could be re-looked in to or could be done please we will be so grateful or please let me know if I could do anything by myself to get my sister’s case open again. I need help I can’t forget what has happened and I will never give up on my sister’s memory.
Mellissa still remembers the day that she was told about her sister’s death.
On the 19th November 2009 at 4am in the morning I got a knock on my address, I answered the door it was a police constable standing there he asked if I was Mellissa Correa and could he come in I said yes his first words was could I sit down I went no tell me what’s wrong please, he’ said I’m so sorry there has been a fire at your sister’s address and the children and the male are out safe but I’m sorry your sister was inside and has been pronounced dead, my heart felt like it crushed I fell to the floor and lost my breath crying, the first words I cried out to the officer was no it isn’t true my sister has never smoked or had candles lit at night, never, I said there’s something seriously wrong here I tell you. That afternoon the police came and informed us that my sister was murdered the family were distraught even more.
Mellissa also accuses the police for a ‘lack of effort and commitment’ during their investigation. She adds:
Hopefully my sister’s case will get looked at carefully and thoroughly like it should have been in the first place.
Anyone with new information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.