Murderer identified after detectives linked him to abandoned car jailed for 27 years

A drug dealer has been jailed for murder after police linked him to a vehicle abandoned at the scene.

David Odunuga, 33 (02.01.91), of Rollason Way, Brentwood appeared at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, 4 April where he was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 27 years for the murder of Brian Edwards.

He was also sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for possession of a knife to run concurrently.

David Odunuga stabbed Brian Edwards three times following an argument between the pair near Finsbury Park on 19 September 2023.

An investigation was launched after emergency services were called at 04:00hrs when 53-year-old Brian was found injured outside his house in Tollington Park, N4. He died a short time later.

Detectives spoke with two of his friends who had been at his house throughout the night. They said he had gone outside to meet a drug dealer and had heard Brian shouting for help. Neighbours informed officers there was arguing, the suspect was wearing a mask and had been rummaging in a silver vehicle left at the scene.

Detectives were able to link the silver BMW X5 to Odunuga by false details and addresses provided on insurance and registration documents. Their suspicion that Odunuga was the suspect was strengthened following the recovery of a car key for the BMW that scientists confirmed had his DNA on.

Further analysis of his car's movements on the night of attack and his mobile phone data also linked him to the crime. Extensive CCTV trawls were completed to track the offender to locations, one being the vicinity of a family address and where the victim’s phone was later found discarded.

Odunuga was arrested at his home in Brentwood, Essex on 22 September 2023 following a joint operation between officers from the Met and Essex Police. A black balaclava and a large knife sheath were found inside another vehicle owned at the time by Odunuga.

During the trial, Odunuga admitted having changed his name by deed poll to allow him to obtain a driving licence and passport used to evade prosecution for traffic offences and circumvent being disqualified from driving. He claimed that a drug dealer took his vehicle from him as part of a drugs debt just hours before Brian was murdered and denied that he was with Brian at the time of the murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Lucy Carberry, who led the investigation, said: "This case is a stark reminder of the devastation drugs cause to communities across London. It should also act as a warning to those habitually carrying knives and engaging in serious violence that every effort will be made to identify and prosecute you, to ensure other families and communities do not have to feel the pain and loss that Brian’s family currently do.

“My thoughts are with Brian’s family today, I hope that the sentence passed down brings them a small measure of comfort. I want to thank Brian’s wife and children for the dignity shown throughout this difficult time.”

+ Odunuga had was found guilty of murder and possession of an offensive weapon at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 2 April.