Stabbing victim’s mother speaks out as police urge witnesses to come forward

The mother of a 19-year-old who was fatally stabbed has spoken of the “anguish” of losing her son, as police launch a fresh appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Irene Muthemba emotionally addressed a press conference organised by Avon & Somerset Police on Thursday afternoon, where she said “our hearts are completely broken” following the death of Eddie King Muthemba Kinuthia, also known as EK.

Police have arrested a fifth person in connection with Eddie’s murder, which took place in Grosvenor Road Triangle Park in St Paul’s at about 11pm on July 21.

But at the conference, detective chief inspector Mark Almond, the senior investigating officer, issued a fresh call for witnesses to come forward, in order “to get justice for Eddie and answers for his family”.

Avon & Somerset Police have held a press conference with the a mum of Eddie King Muthemba Kinuthia, who was fatally stabbed in St Paul’s – photo: Charlie Watts

Speaking at the conference, Irene said: “Words cannot begin to express the anguish that losing Eddie has caused, not just to me as his mum but to our entire family, his friends and all our community that he loved so much.

“The whole of our neighbourhood is deeply shocked, in St Paul’s, in Bristol, in the UK as a whole. Our hearts are completely broken.”

Supported by Eddie’s aunty Jade Morris, Irene went on to say she will “miss [Eddie’s] dazzling smile and we will forever carry you in our hearts.”

“It’s hard to accept that anyone would want to hurt you and it’s immensely sad indeed. I will never understand why,” she continued.

“We all make mistakes sometimes but mistakes do not give anybody the right to end someone else’s life.

“To think that someone woke up and decided that they had the right to rip our hearts wide open in a needless, senseless, shameless, cowardly act of violence is so distressing.”

Five people have been arrested since Eddie’s murder on July 21 which his mum called a “needless, senseless, shameless, cowardly act of violence”- photo: Betty Woolerton

The fifth person arrested in connection with Eddie’s murder, a man in his 20s, was released under investigation early on Wednesday.

A man who was arrested on Monday has also been released on conditional police bail. Two other men also remain on bail while further enquiries are carried out.

Another man, arrested near the scene shortly after the incident, has been eliminated from the investigation.

A vigil was held following Eddie’s murder in St Paul’s, where local residents called for no more knife crime – photo: Charlie Watts

Addressing those responsible for her son’s death, Irene said: “I am appealing to your conscience because someone out there must know something that can assist to get justice for Eddie.

“We can have a peaceful resolution because there’s already enough senseless bloodshed.”

She added: “There’s absolutely no need for these wars that have become so entrenched it today’s youth culture, especially over ground and boundaries that none of you actually own.

“Your evil actions only cause devastation to families.

“How about you learn to settle your differences with words like real men do instead of using weapons and hiding behind a mask?”

“What did you actually gain by ending his life? Apart from a lifetime of guilt, shame and eternal damnation.

“We will eternally miss you Eddie King and will forever treasure our memories of you.”

Police have issued a fresh appeal for anyone who can assist their enquires into Eddie’s death to come forward – photo: Charlie Watts

Also speaking at the conference, DCI Mark Almond said the major crime investigation team has carried out forensic investigations, searches, door-to-door enquires and trawled through hundreds of hours of CCTV since Eddie’s death.

He said: “Everyone we’ve spoken to has praised Eddie for his friendlinesss and warmth, and his death has had a profound impact on his family but also on his friends and the community.

“We are determined to get justice for Eddie and answers for his family but we need help from people. We need witnesses to come forward and give statements.”

Police are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who saw Eddie after 10pm on July 21, or who were in Grosvenor Road or the park between 10 and 11.30pm.

They are asking anyone to come forward if they saw anything suspicious or two people in dark clothing riding on electric motorbikes like a Sur-Ron in the park.

Anyone who can help the police with their enquiries is asked to call 101 quoting “Operation Barclay” or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Read next:

• Fifth arrest made in Eddie Kinuthia murder investigation
• Vigil held to remember St Paul’s stabbing victim
• Family pays tribute to teenager killed in stabbing

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