Victim of fatal stabbing in Elephant and Castle restaurant named

A 23-year-old who was stabbed in the back in an an Ecuadorian restaurant on Tuesday has been named as Ian Gualavisi.

Police were called at around 8pm on Tuesday, December 14 to reports of a stabbing at a restaurant called Rincon Costeno in Maldonado Walk, off Hampton Street.

When police arrived, along with London Ambulance Service and London Air Ambulance medics, 23-year-old man was found with a stab injury to his back.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

While formal identification is yet to take place, officers believe the victim was Ian Gualavisi, a restaurant manager who had lived in London since birth.

Police believe Mr Gualavisi was attacked by two men who left the area on a moped, travelling towards Elephant and Castle station.

A friend of the victim told the MyLondon website that he had been “given the restaurant” by his parents.

He told MyLondon: “We just got called an hour ago. I just saw a video on Snapchat. 

“He was like a brother and my right hand man.

“Not long ago he lost his friend the same way. His friend was 18. 

“For him to lose his life is mental. His parents gave him the restaurant to help him keep on track. 

“He went to jail and came out and they wanted him to focus on good s*** but it’s hard to get out once you’re in.”

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

A post-mortem examination will take place today.

The restaurant lost its alcohol license earlier in the year after a fight involving a machete.

The Met Police applied to review Rincon Costeno’s licence after a man had “significant head injuries” caused by being smashed with a glass bottle in July.

On July 10, police received several calls about a fight at the venue at around 2.40am.  

According to the Met Police’s licence review: “Police arrived on scene to speak with the victim. The victim was uncooperative towards police. He apparently could not remember where or how he received his injuries and wanted the matter forgotten.” 

When police entered the restaurant they found a “significant amount of blood, tables and chairs turned over and smashed glass all over the floor”. 

Officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command have begun a murder investigation and are appealing for anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood said: “A dedicated team of officers is working round the clock to trace those responsible for taking Ian’s life and my thoughts are with his family as they come to terms with their tragic loss.

“While we remain in the early stages of the investigation, we believe Ian was attacked by two men who left the scene on a moped towards Elephant and Castle Railway Station.

“We are in the process of collecting CCTV from the area and speaking to people who were nearby at the time of the attack. I would urge anyone who hasn’t spoken to us yet to contact police as soon as possible.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has information about what took place, should call 101 giving the reference 6908/14DEC. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.