Man arrested after suspected homophobic murder in East London cemetery
The 50-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene after being found unresponsive at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park last Monday.
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude; Image: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (wiki)
A man has been arrested following the killing of a man at a cemetery in east London, in what police believe was a “homophobically motivated” attack.
The victim, a man aged 50, was pronounced dead at the scene after being found unresponsive at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, east London, at around 7am BST on Monday 16 August.
A post-mortem examination later concluded that the cause of death was “blunt force trauma to the head”. His next of kin have been informed.
On Friday (20 August), a 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody at an east London police station.
The Metropolitan Police have confired they are cotinuing to search both the murder scene and a residential address in Tower Hamlets.
Detective Superintendent Pete Wallis, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, described the arrest as a “significant development” and added that “officers have been working around the clock to bring justice to the victim and his family.”
Urging anyone with information to come forward, Detective Superintendent Wallis continued: “Throughout our enquiries we have spoken to numerous members of the public, conducted house to house in the area and have trawled hours of CCTV, but we still need to hear from anyone who was in the area around Cemetery Park during the early hours of 16 August.
“The victim was attacked in what is suspected to be a homophobically motivated attack, but we remain open minded. The investigation team are working with the LGBT Advisory Group. This investigation is fast-paced, I would ask that people are aware of their surroundings and are vigilant in their personal safety.”
“The concern caused by the discovery of a body in these circumstances sends ripples throughout the community and may result in people discussing information that they have. I urge anyone who hears anything relating to this murder to get in touch without delay.”
Superintendent Mike Hamer, Central East Leadership and Support, said: “We are shocked by the nature of this horrendous and brutal attack. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends at this time.
“We, and our partners within Tower Hamlets, are supporting the investigation team and are absolutely committed to bring the offender/s to justice.”
Anyone with information should call the Incident Room direct on 0208 345 3865, call 101, or Tweet @MetCC quoting 1277/16. Alternatively, you can give information by clicking here.
To remain 100% anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.