Justin Henry: Detectives investigating disappearance of south London man find body in car boot

Justin Henry was last seen at his partner's address in Brixton
Josh Salisbury10 November 2023
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Detectives investigating the disappearance of Justin Henry from south London have found a body.

Officers said they recovered a body from the boot of a Red Nissan Almera on Monday in Purley’s Dale Road on Tuesday.

Police are working to formally identify the body but Mr Henry’s family have been informed.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out, but no formal cause of death was established.

The 34-year-old was last seen in person at his partner’s address in Brixton, south London, on October 15 and was reported missing a day later.

Mr Henry, who has links to the Forest Hill area, was wearing distinctive jewellery of a Rolex watch, three Cartier bracelets and a diamond ring before he disappeared.

Family had described his disappearance as “totally out of character” as he had been due to take his 11-year-old son on the school run.

Mr Henry was captured on CCTV buying food at a McDonalds drive-thru restaurant on London Road in Croydon at around 9.50pm on October 15 before his disappearance.

Detectives said they believe Mr Henry drove from the McDonalds to nearby Waddon New Road where his car, a silver Mercedes E Class, remained for approximately two-and-a-half hours.

The Mercedes was later found the following day in Sydenham’s Kingswood Drive.

Police said it was unclear on CCTV who was driving the car when it arrived at Kingswood Drive shortly before 1am on October 16, but Mr Henry’s family do not believe it was him.

Met Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb said: “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.”

Two men, aged 29 and 28,  have been charged in connection with the case.

DCI Webb said: “While we have charged two people with Justin’s murder, we would still like anyone who has any information of the red Nissan’s movements in the days following Justin’s disappearance to call police - we still need and ask for the public’s help.”

A 27-year-old woman who was arrested last month on suspicion of kidnapping has since been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in mid-January 2024.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter/X @MetCC. Please quote Operation Ashgulf or CAD1523/02NOV.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

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