Reward offered in appeal to solve murder of Junior Nelson

Detectives investigating the murder of Junior George Nelson, whose remains were found nine years ago in Northolt, are appealing for witnesses and information to identify whoever is responsible.

The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information that leads to the identification and prosecution of those responsible for Junior’s murder.

A murder investigation was launched after Junior’s remains were found in undergrowth near railway lines at the back of Rabournmead Drive in Northolt on 14 March 2016.

Junior had been reported missing after last being seen on 15 August 2015 in Kilburn.

Detective Constable Iain McDonald from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said:

“It’s been ten years since Junior disappeared - years in which his family and friends have been left without the answers they deserve.

“We remain committed to finding those responsible for Juniors’s death but need the public’s help. There are people amongst the community, in particularly the Kilburn area, who know what happened to Junior.

“A lot can happen in ten years. Allegiances can change and maybe you felt unable to talk to us at the time, for whatever reason, but you are now in a position to do so. Now is the time to come forward.

“We understand that those with information may be concerned, but I would urge anyone who can help to come forward and help give Junior’s family the justice they deserve.

“A substantial reward is available from Crimestoppers, who are a charity, independent of to the police. - They will not ask for your personal details when you contact them, just for any information that could help identify who is responsible for Junior’s murder. To qualify for this reward, you must provide information directly to them.

“You can also speak to our investigation team. Any information you have, no matter how small, could be significant and will be treated with the strictest confidence.”

Alexa Loukas, Crimestoppers’ London Regional Manager, said:

"We know that coming forward and speaking up can be incredibly daunting. Crimestoppers provides a safe and anonymous way for anyone with information to help, without ever having to involve the police. Even though ten years have passed since Junior’s tragic murder, what you know could be the key to bringing justice for Junior and providing his family with the answers they so desperately need. We cannot identify telephone numbers or IP addresses, and we never record calls. Since our charity was founded in 1988, we have always upheld our promise of anonymity.”

Anyone with information is asked submit this online to police via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) at this link.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org. The reward will only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police. A reward code must be asked for when calling the charity on 0800 555 111. If you contact Crimestoppers via the online form anonymously, the 'keeping in contact’ facility must be used and a reward code must be requested on your initial contact with the charity.

An investigation was initially launched after Junior Nelson was reported missing on 21 August 2015 – he had last been seen at his home address in Aldershot Road, NW6 at around midday on Saturday 15 August. Police believe he remained in the vicinity of his home until that evening before he travelled from Kilburn towards Wembley. This was not a usual journey he would take.

Mobile phone analysis subsequently confirmed his phone was in use in the Stonebridge Park area of Wembley at around 22:00hrs that evening – however, his phone has never been recovered.

Junior was well known in the Kilburn area. Police believe that prior to his disappearance he was being taken advantage of by those involved in dealing illegal drugs in the area.

Police initially investigated Junior as a missing person but this was changed to a murder investigation following the discovery of his remains.

Four people were arrested following an initial investigation but all were released without charge.