Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Chris Kitching

'Hard-working' dad stabbed to death and dumped in park pictured as brother pays tribute

This is the first picture of a father who was found stabbed to death and dumped in a busy London park, sparking a murder investigation.

Family members have paid tribute to Yassar Mustakim Moussa, whose body was discovered in St James Park in Walthamstow at about 1.40pm on Monday.

The 37-year-old had been stabbed in the neck and dumped near a brook.

Mr Moussa was the father of a 10-month-old boy and he worked in a hat shop and other places in London after arriving in the UK, his devastated older brother told Mirror Online.

The dad was originally from Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean that is about 1,200 miles east of mainland Africa.

Have you been affected by the incident? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk.

His brother said he leaves behind a 10-month-old son (FAcebook)

Mr Moussa's brother said: "My little brother Yassar. He was a very, very good person. He had one child, 10-months-old. A boy.

"Yassar left Mauritius in 2004. He worked hard to earn money."

Mr Moussa lived in Walthamstow in north-east London, and was last heard from on Saturday night, according to Met Police detectives.

A post-mortem examination held on Tuesday found the official cause of death to be a stab wound to the neck.

As police trace Yassar's final movements leading up to his death, they want to hear from anyone who spotted vehicles near the park's entrances or any unusual activity in the park from Saturday night.

Tributes have been paid to Yassar (FAcebook)

No-one has been arrested.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "A murder investigation has been launched after a man’s body was discovered by a brook in a Walthamtow park.

"Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses who may have noticed any vehicles hanging around the park entrances or any unusual activity in the park since Saturday evening.

"Police were called by a member of the public at approximately 1.40pm on Monday, 24 August to St James Park, E17, after a person was found unresponsive.

"Officers attended and a man, aged in his thirties, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"While formal identification awaits, police are confident the deceased is Yassar Mustakim Moussa, 37, who lived in Walthamstow.

Police at the scene of the park (UkNewsinPictures)

"His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

"A post-mortem examination held on Tuesday, 25 August found the official cause of death to be a stab wound to the neck."

The spokesperson added: "Detectives understand that Yassar was last heard from on the evening of Saturday, 22 August.

"Now detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime North command are working to establish the circumstances of the events leading up to his death, and appealing for anyone with information to come forward and help them."

DCI Larry Smith, who is leading the investigation, said: “A man’s life has been brutally taken and his body left in a park.

"We need to know the movements of Yassar from Saturday, 22 August and my team will be working tirelessly to identify those involved.

"This is a busy park with lots of people using it and I’m asking those park visitors, and nearby residents, to really think back over this weekend.

"Did you see anything out of the ordinary? Did you see a vehicle drive in or out of the park through either the north or south gates?

“Someone out there knows what happened to Yassar and I’m asking you to do the decent thing and speak up. If you don’t want to talk to us, you can stay anonymous by talking to Crimestoppers.”

Acting North East Borough Commander Waheed Khan added: “My thoughts are with Yassar’s loved ones, who must be devastated not only by his death, but by the callous way in which he was treated.

“I know the local community will be shocked by these events, but please be assured that officers will do everything in their power to find who is responsible.

“Officers will be conducting increased patrols locally so residents can expect to see an additional police presence in the area. We are here for you so please do talk to our officers if you have any concerns.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC ref CAD 3562/24 Aug.

People can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.