Appeal to find killer one year after death of man run over in Erith

Police are asking the public to help catch a killer believed to have stolen a car and mowed down the owner, on the incident’s one-year anniversary.

The family of Marc Allen, 51, who was murdered, have branded those responsible “cowards” and say his untimely death has brought them “a level of grief that no one could have prepared us for”.

They described how they will now forever carry a wound “that will never fully heal, but with every day, we get stronger, we help each other to smile a little more and appreciate the memories we have of him”.

As part of the appeal police are offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder.

In the early hours of Sunday, December 29 last year, Marc is believed to have challenged a thief who was attempting to steal his car from his driveway in Peareswood Road Erith.

It is understood at this stage that the suspect inside of the vehicle deliberately drove towards the father-of-one, hitting him and forcing him over the top of the car.

The suspect then left the scene in the car, leaving Marc lying in the road with head injuries.

Marc was taken to King’s College Hospital with head injuries. He remained in a coma for the next month and died from his injuries on January 29.

A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was a head injury.

The car – a grey Mercedes GLA – was recovered from the E14 area. Officers believe that immediately after the incident, it was left in the vicinity of Bronze Age Way in Erith for a number of hours.

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder and have since been released under investigation. Detectives continue to hunt for clues and information and are asking for anyone with information to come forward.

A statement from Marc’s family said: “As a family we would wish to start this statement showing the love we have for Marc, he will always be a beloved part of our family and a dear friend to those that had the pleasure of knowing him, Marc is and always will be sadly missed.

“Marc spent two years battling with ill health and making tough decisions that most would struggle to make. With all that life dealt him, he battled through and refused to sit back and let life keep him down.

“Just as things were starting to look brighter and Marc was getting back to his normal routine, December 29, 2019 happened and those that I can only refer to as cowards attempted to steal his car and ended with Marc badly hurt.

“The four weeks we spent in King’s College Hospital are some of the darkest days as a family, we have had to go through hanging on to the hope that Marc would wake up, which culminated with our parents having to make the heart-wrenching decision that January 29, 2020 will be the day we say goodbye.

“The emotions that come with grief are a part of life we all must endure at some point, losing Marc in the way we have, brings a level of grief that no one could have prepared us for.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Specialist Crime South on 020 8721 4622. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

On Friday, February 7, 2020, a 27-year-old man was arrested in E14 on suspicion of murder and burglary. He has been released under investigation.

On Thursday, May 28, 2020, a 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has been released under investigation.