The victim’s wife said she should have ‘grown old with’ Leon
‘A cruel and devastating’ murder has left a family grieving ‘every single second of every single day.’ Leon Anderson, 39, was stabbed to death by Kemuel Gambicky-Forbes, 25, on Monday, April 28, outside his home on Maple Close, Mitcham.
Leon had dialled 999 at about 7.15pm that day, saying that Leon, whom he knew, had threatened him with a knife. The confrontation could be heard during the call, but despite the urgent response, Leon died at the scene.
Multiple neighbours and a tradesman working at a nearby home told police they had seen the argument unfold, after which Gambicky-Forbes legged it through some nearby woods. Police found his phone.
A police dog also tracked down a rucksack, jeans and hoodie which had been chucked away nearby. Gambicky-Forbes, of Deer Park Gardens, Mitcham, handed himself into a police station the next day on Tuesday, April 29.
He mostly refused to comment at the interview, and claimed that Mr Anderson had tried to run him over prior to the stabbing. But a jury was having none of it and yesterday (Wednesday, July 3) he was locked up for a minimum of 26 years following an Old Bailey trial.
Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who led the investigation, said: “This was a devastating case, in which a man was murdered outside his own home in the presence of his family. Leon was a devoted father and a loving partner, and our thoughts remain with all those who were close to him.
“I would particularly like to acknowledge the courage of the local community. A number of neighbours came forward immediately to assist officers, providing clear accounts of what they had witnessed.
“Leon’s devastated wife Natasha also gave compelling evidence about what had happened. She had bravely attempted to intervene and deescalate the situation before the fatal stabbing.
“Gambicky-Forbes sought to portray himself as having acted in self-defence, claiming that Leon was the aggressor and that all of the witnesses were either mistaken or dishonest. The jury rejected this account.”
In a statement, Mr Anderson’s wife said: “This was a completely unnecessary killing. It was cruel, devastating, and has left permanent damage to a family who loved Leon beyond words.
“No sentence will ever bring my husband back. We will spend the rest of our lives grieving the man we loved, the husband I should have grown old with, and the father our children should have had for many more years.
“Leon was loved and will be missed every single second of every single day.”
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