The family of a man found murdered in Neasden have made a public appeal for information.
The body of 38-year-old Justin Bello was found in a communal area to the rear of Lovett Way, NW10, when police were called to the location at around 08:16hrs on 25 November, 2019.
A murder investigation was launched and a number of arrests have been made. At this time no charges have been brought.
A post-mortem examination was held on 28 November, 2019 at Northwick Park mortuary.
Officers are not releasing a cause of death for operational purposes, but can confirm the death is not thought to have been the result of a stab or gunshot injury.
In a statement, Justin’s family, said: “It has been almost a year since so-called humans robbed us of our son, father, brother, uncle, nephew and friend in the most frightening and inhumane way imaginable. The tidal wave of pain their actions caused has almost destroyed the lives of so many people because Justin was truly loved by everyone who ever met him.
“Our family's pain will never, ever go away, and we struggle on for our children because we must show them that justice exists in life. So we must find the people who did this, find out why they thought they had the right to end our Justin's loving, fulfilling and purposeful life.
"These people are still out there, living their lives among us in our communities, somewhere. There are people who know what happened, who know who did this or why - maybe it is you reading this right now, or, perhaps you are friends with people who talk about knowing things the police don't, perhaps you have laughed with them, shared food with them all the while knowing or suspecting they may have the blood of a beautiful human smeared on their conscience. The question is: can you live with this knowledge, our Justin's blood on yours?
“Please, if you have any information or suspicions, however insignificant you feel it might be, if you loved Justin, if you didn't know him but understand right from wrong, if you sympathise with this never-ending nightmare these people have put Justin's family and loved ones through, then perhaps you agree we need to take these people off our streets before they do it again - and we pray next time it isn't your family, your child, your brother.
"Please, call the police, even anonymously if you fear for your own safety, but please do not allow our family to continue having to live with this life-destroying silence from the community any longer. Please come forward, clear your conscience and help us to find these sickening excuses for humans before they think they've got away with it and do it again.”
Detective Chief Inspector Pete Wallis, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Justin’s family have implored anyone with information to come forward, and I would do the same.
“We have a team of detectives ready to take your call, but we also understand that some people may not wish to speak to us directly. If this is the case, please call Crimestoppers without delay.
“They key to achieving justice for Justin is in the community.”
A number of other arrests have been made in connection with the investigation:
A 41-year-old man [A] was arrested in Norfolk on 29 November on suspicion of murder.
A 48-year-old man [B] was arrested in Cricklewood on 30 November on suspicion of murder.
A 47-year-old man [C] was arrested in Gipsy Hill on 5 December on suspicion of assisting an offender.
A 51-year-old man [D] attended an east London police station on 11 December and was arrested for assisting an offender.
A 26-year-old man [E] attended a south London police station on 17 December and was arrested for assisting an offender.
A 37-year-old man [F] attended a north London police station on 24 December and was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
A 34-year-old man [G] was arrested in Upper Norwood on Friday, 24 January on suspicion of murder.
A 31-year-old man [H] was arrested in Woolwich on the same day on suspicion of murder.
All have been released under investigation.
[I] A 48-year-old woman and [J] a 38-year-old woman were arrested on Wednesday, 1 July and Wednesday, 8 July, respectively on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice. They were subsequently bailed to return pending further enquiries to a date in late September. Following this, they were released under investigation.
A 39–year-old man [K] was arrested in Brixton on Friday, 23 October on suspicion of murder and was released under investigation.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation, including anyone who saw suspicious people or vehicles in the area at the time of the attack, is asked to call the incident room on 020 8358 0400 or police on 101 quoting CAD 1446/Nov25/2019.
To remain anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.