Justin Henry Disappearance: Police Retrieve Deceased Individual from Car Boot

 

In south London, detectives investigating the disappearance of 34-year-old Justin Henry, who was last seen on October 15th at his partner’s home, have made a grim discovery. A body was found in the boot of a car near Croydon, three weeks after he went missing. While the family has been informed of the discovery, formal identification is pending, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Two men, aged 29 and 28, have been charged with Mr. Henry’s murder, while a 27-year-old woman, arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

On Monday evening, police officers, in the course of their investigation into his disappearance, located a Red Nissan Almera car parked near Nicholass Court in Dale Road, Purley. The vehicle was treated as a crime scene on Monday to preserve evidence, as stated by Scotland Yard. The body was subsequently discovered on Tuesday. A post-mortem examination was conducted on Thursday, though no cause of death was determined. Further tests will be carried out, as per police statements.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb, of the Met’s specialist crime command, explained, “Due to the need to preserve forensic evidence, officers conducted a careful and methodical examination of the scene. However, on Tuesday, we confirmed that a body was in the car and we spoke to Justin’s family later that day. We are waiting to formally confirm the identity of the body. My heart goes out to his family who have suffered weeks of anxiously waiting for news. Justin’s family are understandably very upset and we would ask media to respect their privacy at this very difficult time.”

He stated: “While we have charged two individuals in connection with Justin’s murder, we still urge anyone with information regarding the movements of the red Nissan in the days following Justin’s disappearance to contact the police. We continue to rely on and seek the assistance of the public.”

Mr. Henry, who has ties to the SE23 area encompassing Forest Hill, Honor Oak, and parts of Crofton Park, was last seen in person at his partner’s residence in Brixton on October 15th and was reported missing a day later.

The last known sighting of him was captured on CCTV footage at a McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant on London Road in Croydon around 9:50 pm on October 15th.

Detectives believe that after leaving McDonald’s, he drove to the nearby Waddon New Road, where his silver Mercedes E Class remained parked for approximately two and a half hours.

The Mercedes was discovered the following day, approximately 7 kilometres away on Kingswood Drive, Sydenham Hill. Due to an unclear CCTV image of the driver just before 1 am on that day, it is uncertain who was driving the vehicle when it arrived there. However, Mr. Henry’s family has confirmed it was not him.

Police have conducted forensic examinations at an address in Croydon and on Mr. Henry’s vehicle, in addition to extensive inquiries using CCTV footage and phone records.

Before his disappearance, Mr. Henry was wearing distinctive jewellery, including a Rolex watch, three Cartier bracelets, and a diamond ring, according to police reports.

Authorities are appealing to anyone with information to contact the police at 101 or reach out on Twitter to @MetCC, quoting Operation Ashgulf or CAD 1523/02NOV. For those wishing to remain anonymous, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted at 0800 555 111.