Twist in the tale: Youth mentor suspected of murdering a sex offender and his daughter, found dead in London flat
In a shocking twist, a man suspected of murdering a convicted sex offender and his daughter has been found dead. 37-year-old Nathaniel Henry was reported missing a week after the bodies of the two alleged victims were found on December 4 last year.
Noel Brown was partially dismembered and it is believed that the killer strangled his daughter Marie.
Henry was allegedly linked to the murder by forensic evidence, the Independent reports. Friends of late Henry described him as a “dedicated father-of-three” and a “wonderful man”.
He was also described as a “true pillar of the community who loved helping to make a difference” to local children.
A neighbor reportedly saw the 69-year-old Brown alive and well at his home in Deptford on November 30. Two days later, his daughter went over to check on him.
When the 41-year-old did not return to her home in Southwark, a relative contacted the police on December 4. Officers who forced their way into Brown’s apartment found the bodies of the deceased.
There were reportedly no signs of forced entry or struggle. The victims were not restrained by the killer.
A post-mortem examination revealed that the victims were strangled to death. Parts of Brown’s arms and legs had been cut off and removed from the crime scene.
Two men were captured on CCTV visiting the property in the days leading up to the bodies being found.
The footage, which was later released shows a male suspect carrying an unusually large backpack. He is believed to have visited the apartment at least four times.
Police believe the killer strangled Brown and then removed his limbs a little at a time. He may have been interrupted by Marie, prompting him to kill her too.
“We believe that at least one person, and maybe two, were going back and forth to the location over the course of the three days from the Thursday to Sunday evening and that they were possibly even present just hours before police arrived in the early hours of the Monday morning,” Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding said.
Police are yet to uncover a motive for the murders. Brown was convicted in 1999 for a sex offense and received a four-year sentence. He is also believed to have made certain gambling wins.
The police do not believe that the gambling win or the conviction motivated the gruesome crime. Brown had not been booked for any offenses after his prison sentence.
Henry was found dead inside a block of flats in Peckham Grove, southeast London, on New year’s eve. Police reportedly do not suspect foul play. He was last seen alive on 5th December.
He worked as a mentor and basketball coach at the Damilola Taylor Community Centre.
“His passing has left a huge gaping hole in the community with many of the children he mentored struggling to deal with the news,” reads a crowdfunding page set up to cover Henry’s funeral expenses. The page was set up before he was named as a suspect and has raised over £1500. He left behind two sons and a daughter. One of his sons is at university in America. An anonymous neighbor described Henry as a “lovely guy” and “the perfect neighbor.” She also added that she would be “surprised if he could have hurt someone.”
Marie Brown is mourned by her family who expressed “shock and disbelief” over the death of the mother of two. A statement released by the family describes her as a “peacemaker”.
“Marie was everything and we miss her so much,” the statement adds.
Anybody with relevant information pertaining to the case is urged to contact the dedicated incident room on 0208 721 4205, call 101 or contact the Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.