The distraught family of a Hackney teenager stabbed to death on a dancefloor today made an emotional appeal to catch his killer.
Ziggy Worrell-Owusu, 19, died after being knifed in the stomach at a birthday party in Goodmayes on October 27.
His sister Belinda Owusu, 27, who plays Libby Fox in Eastenders, spoke to the Gazette’s sister paper the Ilford Recorder begging witnesses to come forward.
She said: “It was a totally random freak event and it all happened because someone decided to take a knife to a birthday party.
“You just think that maybe, if I had texted him not to go or gone round on his birthday, then maybe it would be different.
“I don’t want to be standing here publicly sharing my grief but this is the only way and we need things to change.”
Former Hackney Bulls player Ziggy, from the Jack Dunning Estate, had been at a private party at the Basement Bar Shisha Lounge – and police are investigating whether he may have been breaking up a fight.
Speaking to the Gazette last week, friends of the talented rugby player paid tribute to a “good guy” with a “gentle manner”,
Club chairman Julien Hardwick led tributes.
“It comes to no surprise to us to hear Ziggy was killed trying to break up a fight,” he said. “He was as brave and straightforward on the pitch as he was off it.
“As well as his athletic ability – he was very difficult to catch and not afraid to put in his tackles – we remember his gentle manner, which belied a forceful personality, his quirky sense of humour and his love of music.
“It is very hard to accept someone with so much life and so much potential has been taken from us.”
Cops and paramedics arrived at 12.40am and found Ziggy with stab wounds to the stomach. He was taken to hospital where doctors battled to save him, but he was pronounced dead an hour later.
Friend George Bloomfield, who trained with the Bulls alongside Ziggy, said the 19-year-old was “a calm soul who always had a laugh with the rest of us”.
“He never ever had a bad word to say about anyone,” he said. “He was always peaceful and a great player for the team. You will be missed, mate. Rest in peace.”
Neighbours in the area had reported a “commotion” outside a shisha bar on the street earlier that night.
One, who wished to remain anonymous, said there were 80 to 90 teenagers congregating there at midnight, “which was unusual”.
He continued: “People kept coming. I heard men arguing and it kept getting louder, then there was a girl screaming.”
Det Ch Insp Andrew Packer, who is leading the investigation, appealed to party guests to hand over any photos or videos they may have.
He said: “We suspect more than 100 people were in attendance at the party last night.
“So if you may have uploaded a video or a photo that night, we need to see it.
“Let me be clear, this is not ‘come forward and we will arrest you’ – this is an appeal for witnesses to help us figure out what happened that night.”
A 17-year-old has been arrested and bailed over Ziggy’s death.
Anyone with information is urged to call 020 8345 3865 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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