Fresh appeal to unlock mystery of music producer Leon Forbes murder 19 years ago

A bereaved family are appealing for fresh information relating to the murder of an aspiring music producer who was shot in a South London car park 19 years ago today.

Just after 12.15am on December 7, 2003, 21-year-old Leon Forbes was on his way to proudly play his new CD to a friend when he was shot and fatally wounded in his mother’s car in a car park near his home in Clapham.

He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries later that morning.

Leon’s sister, Erica, said: “The one thing I cannot get over is the constant memory of my mother, Michelle, and I, taking it in turns trying to give my brother CPR and willing him to breathe.

“Our lives changed forever and I know it will never go back to how it was.

“My mother has now since passed and never got to fulfil her promise to Leon, to see those responsible brought to justice.

“As a family we are appealing to those who may know who is responsible, any information you have, to come forward and speak the truth.

“Leon would have been 41 on December 20, but for us as a family he will always be 21, as time has stopped since that day in 2003.

“We have waited too long and we need justice to have some closure.”

Detective Chief Inspector Amanda Greig, from the Met’s Specialist Casework Team, believes the key to unlocking the mystery can still be found.

She said: “Leon’s family have desperately waited for justice for almost 20 years. You now have the opportunity to give them that.

“Maybe you were reluctant to come forward at the time for a number of reasons, but allegiances and circumstances might have changed and you may feel differently about speaking to us now.

“Leon was only 21 years old when he was brutally murdered. He was the proud father of a little girl and he could not wait to meet his second child – but sadly that opportunity was snatched away from him.”

On December 6, 2003, Leon called his friend and asked him to call at his home in Daley Thompson Way to listen to the new CD he had put together.

His friend arrived just after midnight and they both got into Leon’s mum’s car, a black Vauxhall Astra. Leon started pulling out of a car park they were in and, near the exit, a second car was stationary with its headlights on and a man was standing in front of it.

As they drove by, shots were fired into the rear of Leon’s mum’s car, hitting Leon. Leon slumped over the steering wheel and the car collided with nearby vehicles.

Witnesses reported seeing two vehicles, a red car and a silver car, leaving the car park at speed shortly after the incident. One was described as a ‘new shape’ silver Saab.

Leon’s friend rushed back to alert Leon’s mother. Leon’s family and his friend rushed back to the scene and pulled Leon from the car, giving him first aid until the emergency services arrived.

He was pronounced dead at 9.20am as a result of a gunshot wound to his neck.

Five people were arrested in connection with Leon’s murder in 2003 and 2004, but all were subsequently released with no further action being taken.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Specialist Casework Team on 020 8785 8267 or 101.

Pictured top: Leon Forbes (Picture: The Met)