Two teenagers convicted after fatal stabbing of Daejaun Campbell

Two teenagers have been convicted of murder and manslaughter in relation to the death of a 15-year-old boy in Woolwich, in an unprovoked attack - the exact motive for the attack remains unclear. A third teenager was acquitted of murder.

Two appeared at the Old Bailey today and the jury returned their verdicts after a six week trial.

Marko Balaz, 19 (20.12.2005) of Sewell Road, SE2, was convicted of manslaughter and a 17-year-old boy was convicted of murder.

Jacob Losiewicz, 18 (22.07.2006) of Church Manorway, SE2, was acquitted of murder on Tuesday, 30 July.

The victim, 15-year-old Daejaun Campbell, was fatally stabbed following a disturbance on Eglington Road, SE18.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn said: “Daejaun’s murder shocked the local community and will forever impact his grieving family and those who loved him.

“I commend the strength of Daejaun’s family, in particular his mother, throughout this awful ordeal. She has demonstrated exceptional courage and composure throughout this trial and has become an advocate to raise awareness of the dangers of young people carrying knives and the devastation that knife violence causes.”

A murder investigation was launched on Sunday, 22 September 2024 after police were called to reports of the stabbing of a boy on Eglington Road, SE18.

Witnesses called the police at around 18:30hrs to reports of a boy screaming for help and being chased down the street before being attacked with what looked like a machete. Brave members of the public ran to help Daejaun, who was lying on the floor after sustaining multiple stab wounds.

London Ambulance Service and HEMS attended the scene but sadly Daejaun died a short time later in the road where he had been stabbed.

A murder investigation commenced, quickly identifying a car which had been used to bring the defendants to the scene. CCTV footage including doorbell camera footage was identified which showed the teenagers leaving a property to attack Daejaun. The identities of the group were soon established.

Losiewicz was arrested the following day with the distinctive top he was wearing during the murder being recovered on his bedroom floor, but his tracksuit bottoms and sliders were missing. During his interview, Losiewicz denied being involved in Daejaun’s murder and claimed to be a witness who ran from the scene after being scared. He claimed to have been unable to stop the attack.

Balaz was arrested at his home address on 25 September where he denied any involvement, claimed to have been at home during the offence and denied any prior knowledge of Daejaun or his murder. Balaz was, however on an electronically monitored tag which demonstrated he was lying and had travelled to Eglinton Road at the time of the murder. Officers were to later find multiple internet searches on Balaz’s phone around relating to Daejaun’s murder.

The 17-year-old boy was arrested on 27 September. His phone was analysed and messages were found which showed he was worried about spending 20 years in prison after killing someone and joking with friends that his life was “about to take a massive turn”. Losiewicz sliders were found in the 17 year old’s house and Daejaun’s blood was found on them. At trial he admitted to stabbing Daejaun but claimed he did so in self defence, as Daejaun also had a knife.

All three were charged with murder and remanded into custody.

DCI Kate Blackburn added: “We have never fully established why Daejaun was murdered in such a brutal way. I believe it is likely because he did not live in the area and had been exploited into dealing drugs there. It is possible that the defendant’s were linked to an opposing drugs line.

“This group were willing to bring a machete out in broad daylight and use it to kill a 15-year-old boy who, when challenged, threw his knife away and ran in the opposite direction.

“Today’s convictions conclude a lengthy and emotional investigation, and we can expect the two convicted teenagers to spend a considerable time in prison. However, they will still be able to have lives after their incarceration, Daejaun was not given that opportunity.

“I hope that the conviction today provides some sense of justice to Deajuan’s family.”

The pair will be sentenced at the same court on Monday, 6 October.