Justin Henry: Police find body in boot of car in search for missing dad

Police investigating the disappearance of Justin Henry have found a body in the boot of a car.

The Met found a red Nissan Almera car parked near Nicholas Court in Dale Road, Purley, on Monday night.

In order to preserve possible evidence, police said the car was treated as a crime scene and was forensically examined. A body was found in the boot the next day.

A post-mortem examination took place yesterday and no formal cause of death was established.

Officers are working to carry out a formal identification and further tests will be carried out. 

Mr Henry’s family have been informed of the developments.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb, said: “Due to the need to preserve forensic evidence, officers conducted a careful and methodical examination of the scene. 

“However, on Tuesday, we confirmed that a body was in the car and we spoke to Justin’s family later that day. We are waiting to formally confirm the identity of the body.

“My heart goes out to his family who have suffered weeks of anxiously waiting for news. 

“Justin’s family are understandably very upset and we would ask media to respect their privacy at this very difficult time.

“While we have charged two people with Justin’s murder, we would still like anyone who has any information of the red Nissan’s movements in the days following Justin’s disappearance to call police – we still need and ask for the public’s help.”

Mr Henry was reported missing on October 16. 

He was last seen on October 15, at a McDonald’s drive-thru in London Road, Croydon, at around 10pm.

Enquiries led officers to believe Mr Henry drove from the Croydon McDonald’s to nearby Waddon New Road where his vehicle, a silver Mercedes E Class, remained for approximately two-and-a-half hours.

The Mercedes was later located on October 16 in Kingswood Drive, Dulwich.

The Met said it is unclear who was driving the vehicle when it arrived at Kingswood Drive shortly before 1am October 16, due to indistinct CCTV image of the driver, but Mr Henry’s family said it was not him.

Officers have conducted forensic examinations of an address in Croydon and Mr Henry’s car, as well as extensive CCTV and phone inquiries.

Louis Benjamin, 29, of Waddon New Road, Croydon and Jamal Ali-Ricards, 28, of Thornton Heath, have both been charged with one count of murder.

A 27-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping. She has since been bailed pending further enquiries, to a date in mid-January 2024.

Pictured top: Justin Henry (Picture: The Met)