Ziggy Owusu murder: Cops’ fresh appeal for leads one year on from stabbing of Hackney Bulls star player
Ziggy was murdered at a party in Goodmayes, east London. Picture: Met Police - Credit: Archant
Scotland Yard today renewed its appeal for information about the murder of star Hackney Bulls player Ziggy Owusu as he tried to break up a fight.
The family of murdered teenager Ziggy Worrell-Owusu near the scene of his death in Goodmayes. Picture: IKen Mears - Credit: Archant
It’s a year to the day since Ziggy, 19, was stabbed to death after a party in Goodmayes, east London.
The teenager had lived on Hackney’s Jack Dunning Estate and played for the Hackney rugby club, whose chairman Julien Hardwick called him “as brave and straightforward on the pitch as he was off it”.
Now his family is pleading for anyone with information to come forward, saying they have been “unable to heal” not knowing what happened.
Crimestoppers is also offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to a successful prosecution.
Police and forensic teams searching for clues at the scene of Ziggy's death last October. Picture: Ken Mears - Credit: Archant
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Police were called at about 20 to 1 in the morning to the Basement Shisha Lounge in Goodmayes Road, where they found Ziggy fatally injured.
He was taken to an east London hospital but despite the best efforts of medical staff, and officers and friends who came to Ziggy’s aid at the scene, he didn’t recover from his injury and died shortly after arrival.
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Ziggy had attended an 18th birthday party at the venue with a group of friends. There were 100 people there.
Det Ch Insp Andrew Packer said: “It is now a year on and we know there are a large number of young people who were inside the Basement Shisha Lounge that night who still haven’t come forward to speak to us.
Police and forensic teams searching for clues at the scene of Ziggy's death last October. Picture: Ken Mears - Credit: Archant
“We urgently need still to identify a significant number of people who were at the party and would encourage anyone with any information to get in touch.
“In addition to our previous appeals, we continue to appeal to any partygoers who might be in possession of video footage or photos from the party to also make contact with police.
“A popular young man had his life taken away in the most tragic manner and your information, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, could be vital to piecing together the events of that evening.”
Ziggy’s sister, EastEnders actress Belinda Owusu, said: “Yesterday would have been his 20th birthday. While we visit where he rests now, we have been unable to heal not knowing how or why this happened, and who took him from us.
Ziggy Owusu. - Credit: Josh
“Again, we plead for anyone who may know anything to come forward with any information.
“We miss him every day and will carry him with us always.”
Police are re-releasing a reconstruction video of events of the night of Ziggy’s death – first aired on the Crimewatch Daily show in June.
The video depicts Ziggy’s last hours. Officers hope it might jog someone’s memory, and encourage anyone with crucial information to come forward.
The family of murdered teenager Ziggy Worrell-Owusu near the scene of his death in Goodmayes. Picture: IKen Mears - Credit: Archant
Two 17-year-old boys and a 19-year-old man who were arrested in relation to the investigation in October and November 2016 were released with no further action.
Witnesses and anyone with information are asked to call police on 020 8345 3865 or 101. To give information anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
