Police offer £20,000 reward in new appeal to bring killers of drill rapper, 21, to justice after he was stabbed to death in front of revellers at Notting Hill Carnival
- Tamayo Nembhard, 21, was stabbed to death at last year’s Notting Hill Carnival
- Rapper was set to be a father after his partner gave birth to a son last November
- Five people arrested on suspicion of murder have all since been released
A £20k reward has been offered in a renewed appeal to bring the killers of a talented rapper at the Notting Hill Carnival to justice.
Takayo Nembhard, 21, was knifed to death in front of horrified revellers at the annual west London street party on Bank Holiday Monday August 29 last year.
The talented rapper, from Bristol, was making his name performing as TKorStretch, and had plans to crack the national music scene after a tune went viral with half-a-million views.
He would have also been a father, after his partner gave birth to a son in November last year.
Five people have been arrested on suspicion of his murder – with four released under investigation and one released on bail.
Takayo Nembhard, 21, was knifed to death at last year’s Notting Hill Carnival
The rapper from Bristol, who performed as TKorStretch, was killed on August 29 last year
A 20k reward is now being offered to anyone who comes forward with information leading to a conviction
Takayo was set to be a father. His partner gave birth to a boy last November
But with no charges brought – a fresh appeal has been launched to bring justice for Takayo and his family on the one year anniversary of the tragedy.
The £20k reward is being offered by independent charity Crimestoppers for anonymous information they receive that leads to a conviction.
It’s hoped this renewed appeal with a significant reward will encourage witnesses or anyone who can help to come forward.
Officers will be at Notting Hill Carnival over the bank holiday weekend talking to visitors and making fresh appeals.
In a fresh statement, Takayo’s family said: “Almost a year on, our family are in disbelief and continued sadness that Takayo’s passing goes unpunished.
“We will never get over him but justice being served will help us to move on.”
Detective Inspector Laura Semple, Specialist Crime, added: “It has been a year since Takayo died and his family remain devastated at his loss. His son, who was born in November, is growing up having never known his dad.
“Takayo was a talented rapper and singer from Bristol who had visited the carnival with his friends and sister. He had done nothing to provoke the attack that day.
“We still really need the help of anyone who has information to bring those responsible to justice. I hope the offer of this substantial reward from the charity Crimestoppers with the appeal to contact them anonymously will encourage people to do the right thing.”
Forensic officers combing through the scene on Ladbroke Grove, near where Notting Hill Carnival took place in west London
Takayo with his girlfirend who was pregnant when he died
Alexa Loukas, London Regional Manager at Crimestoppers, said: “Takayo was part of a loving and caring family. At the time of his murder, he and his girlfriend were expecting their first child together.
“There were many witnesses to the killing who could have vital information, but for whatever reason, have not yet come forward. Our charity, which is independent of the police, gives you the opportunity to pass on information about crime whilst staying completely anonymous.
“I know how hard it is to speak up, but you could make a difference. Every piece of information, no matter how small, is a step closer towards finding justice for Takayo.”
Takayo died in hospital after being stabbed at around 8pm in Ladbroke Grove, under the Westway flyover. A post-mortem examination showed he died from a stab wound to the right groin femoral artery.
A murder investigation was launched and detectives have worked hard over the last year to examine CCTV and gather information to try to track down Takayo’s attackers.
There were several hundred people in the immediate area surrounding the murder and probably many witnesses.
Detectives said they are still keen to hear from anyone with information, including anyone who was filming or photographing in the area at the time and may have captured relevant footage or images.
A dedicated page has been set up where witnesses can upload photos and videos of the incident.
Five people have so far been arrested on suspicion of murder, all of whom have been released
The reward is valid between 23 August and 23 November for information Crimestoppers receive directly and exclusively which when passed on leads to conviction.
Five people have been arrested in connection with Takayo’s murder.
On Wednesday, 19 October two men, 23 and 18, were arrested in Bristol on suspicion of murder.
A woman, 20, was also arrested in Islington on suspicion of assisting an offender.
A 17-year-old male was arrested in Bristol on Saturday, 22 October on suspicion of the murder.
A man, 18, later handed himself into police on Tuesday, 6 December after a CCTV image was circulated and was arrested on suspicion of murder.
All are released under investigation while enquiries continue.
A 23-year-old man was arrested in Shepherds Bush on Friday, 18 August on suspicion of murder and has been bailed until a date in mid-November.
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