Mother's plea to catch Billy Cox's killer 12 years after Valentine’s Day murder

Clue: Billy Cox was shot in his bedroom on Valentine's Day, 12 years ago
PA / METROPOLITAN POLICE
Justin Davenport14 February 2019
WEST END FINAL

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The mother of a teenage boy shot dead on Valentine’s Day 12 years ago issued a new plea today to catch his killer as police released CCTV of a possible key witness.

Billy Cox, 15, was shot dead in the bedroom of his home in Clapham on February 14, 2007. His killing remains one of London’s most notorious unsolved murders.

Today, a cold case homicide team released a grainy CCTV image showing Billy walking with two young men along Landor Road, Clapham, 45 minutes before he was killed.

Police know the identity of one but are urging the other, carrying a distinctive white bag, to come forward, as he could hold vital information.

Billy’s mother Arpon Cox said: “My family and I are still seeking justice for an incident that has torn apart our lives 12 years ago. We continue to live every day with the pain of Billy no longer being with us, and that his father passed away with a broken heart in not receiving justice for his son.

In the CCTV from Clapham, Billy Cox is on the right and the mystery person is on the left (Metropolitan Police )
Metropolitan Police

“It causes untold grief when I consider Billy’s last moments and the fact that my precious son, my first-born child, was so brutally murdered in our home, which should have been his place of safety. It also concerns me heavily to know his killer is still out there among our community.

“I pray that someone has the courage and strength to come forward to the police to help my family find some peace in all this sadness.”

Billy was shot with a handgun in the chest at close range at the property in Fenwick Place. He died in the arms of sister Elizabeth, then 13, who returned home from school to find him collapsed and bleeding.

There are thought to have been at least three people in the house with him and there were no signs of forced entry. The gun has never been recovered.

Detectives said at the time that there was no evidence the teenager was engaged in serious crime.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah ­McConnell, leading the latest inquiry, said: “Although 12 years has lapsed this investigation remains ongoing. The passage of time in no way diminishes the ­seriousness of this awful crime or the pain caused to Billy’s family and friends.

“It is possible that with the length of time that has passed, allegiances and people’s views may have changed. Upon reflection, someone may wish to come forward with information that will help us solve this murder and bring some peace to his family.”

A £20,000 reward is on offer.

Detectives arrested one man, aged 20, on suspicion of murder in 2007 but he was released without charge the following year.

  • Anyone with information should call 020 8785 8267 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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