Detectives investigating the disappearance of Justin Henry have found a body.
Officers located a Red Nissan Almera car on the evening of Monday, 6 November parked near Nicholas Court in Dale Road, Purley.
In order to preserve possible evidence, the car was treated as a crime scene. This was forensically examined and a body recovered from the boot of the vehicle the next day.
A post-mortem examination took place today (9 November) – no formal cause of death was established and further tests will be carried out. Officers are working to carry out a formal identification.
Mr Henry’s family have been kept informed of the developments.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Due to the need to preserve forensic evidence, officers conducted a careful and methodical examination of the scene. However, on Tuesday, we confirmed that a body was in the car and we spoke to Justin’s family later that day. We are waiting to formally confirm the identity of the body.
“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.
“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.”
Justin, 34, was reported missing to police on Monday, 16 October. His family have not heard from him since that date. He has links to the SE23/Forest Hill area
Work continues to establish Justin’s movements, in particular late on Sunday, 15 October, and in the early hours of Monday, 16 October.
Justin was last seen in person on the evening of Sunday, 15 October at his partner’s address in Brixton. At around 21:50hrs on Sunday, 15 October, Justin was seen on CCTV buying food at a McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant on London Road in Croydon.
Enquiries have led officers to believe Justin drove from that restaurant to nearby Waddon New Road where his vehicle, a silver Mercedes E Class, remained for approximately two-and-a-half hours.
The Mercedes was later located on Monday, 16 October in Kingswood Drive, SE19.
It is unclear who was driving the vehicle when it arrived at Kingswood Drive shortly before 01:00hrs on Monday, 16 October, due to indistinct CCTV image of the driver, but Justin’s family state that it was not him.
Officers have conducted forensic examinations of an address in Croydon and Justin’s car, as well as extensive CCTV and phone inquiries.
A 29-year-old man [B] and a 28-year-old man [C] have been charged in connection with the investigation.
On Wednesday, 18 October, a 27-year-old woman [A] was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping; she has since been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in mid-January 2024.
Detectives still appealing for anyone who can assist police to come forward. 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.
You can also give information on Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)
To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
