FAMILY and friends of a Carnival stabbing victim believe the killer is in prison – but for a different crime.
Takayo Nembhard, 21, was stabbed to death in an “unprovoked” attack at the Notting Hill Carnival in 2022.
Not known, clear with picture deskTakayo with his girlfriend Oshian Edwards[/caption]
Family HandoutTakayo’s parents remembered him as a charitable person[/caption]
Not known, clear with picture deskTakayo was set to be a father with Edwards sharing a photo of him hugging the baby bump[/caption]
But, the dad-to-be’s death remains unsolved, despite a £20,000 reward for information being offered in August.
Family and friends believe the killer was arrested for a different crime at Bristol’s St Paul’s Carnival in 2023.
They say he was already out of prison on parole for a different crime and following the Bristol charge, he was put back in jail.
The Met has arrested six people, five of them on suspicion of murder, but it has not laid charges.
They said none of their arrests had been remanded in custody, but it wouldn’t elaborate further on the case.
Takayo’s parents Vince and Sandra Nemphard, both 50, say they just want “justice for their son”.
They said the Met’s issue wasn’t about finding the right suspects, but about getting sufficient evidence to lay a charge.
Dad Vince said: “I’m just really frustrated something like this could happen at Carnival where there’s so much CCTV… and there’s a lack of evidence?
“We’re really annoyed, they’re just living life and we’re still in limbo.”
They say the reward failed to bring forward more information as people were afraid of retribution from the suspects.
Sandra said: “There’s a lot of people afraid of that person and his friends.
“We’re very disappointed and quite angry because we know people know, they’re just afraid of the repercussions.
“It’s just really upsetting we’re still in this predicament, we can’t really move on at all, it’s leaving us in limbo.”
They remembered their son as being charitable.
Sandra said: “He was funny, thoughtful, a man of principle, and he had a big heart.
“He always encouraged others to do their best.”
In the year to June 2023, there were 13,503 knife crime incidents in the capital — up some 20 per cent year on year.
The rest of the country is not immune either.
Office for National Statistics figures show that in England and Wales, there were a staggering 50,833 crimes involving knives or sharp objects.
Takayo, a drill rapper under the pseudonym TKorStretch, worked with producer Chris Patrick.
Chris was shocked the crime was yet to be solved and said there should have been justice before the 2023 iteration.
Instead, some police there were giving out leaflets appealing for more information.
“I don’t understand how this could happen to someone at Carnival.
But, Chris has now ruled out working with drill artists in the future.
He says those found with knives on the street without purpose should be treated like those found with loaded guns.
“Where we are as a country is not in a good place.
“Does somebody else have to die?”
Takayo was killed under the railway bridge outside Ladbroke Grove tube station just before 10pm.
His grieving girlfriend told of her pain that he will never meet his child who has just turned one year old.
In a touching post on Instagram, she wrote: “Takayo my sweet beautiful boy. All I can ask is why over and over again. You were the most kind-hearted, loving, funny and caring person.
“I’m sat here with sore eyes and a heavy heart as I’ve cried consistently for the last 12 hours while carrying your unborn son.
“I held your hand yesterday for the last time as you lay there lifeless and baby T kicked me straight away and it broke me.”
The Met reiterated its November appeal appealing for those with information to come forward.
They can do so anonymously through Crimestoppers.
“The investigation continues and we continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward.”
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said there were five arrests made at the 2023 St Paul’s Carnival but “didn’t believe” any involved a knife.
They said they couldn’t answer questions about the case as they were for the Met.
PAForensics officers comb the scene in Ladbroke Grove following Takayo’s death[/caption]
Ian Whittaker – News Group Newspapers LtdPolice have made six arrests, but are yet to lay any charges[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
