Man charged with murder of missing Justin Henry
A man has been charged with the murder of missing Justin Henry, as the search to find him continues.
Louis Benjamin, 29, of Waddon New Road, Croydon, was charged with murder on Wednesday.
Mr Henry’s family have been informed of the charge.
Benjamin appeared in custody at Bromley Magistrates’ Court yesterday and will next appear at the Old Bailey on Monday.
Benjamin was arrested on Tuesday night, at an address in Croydon.
On October 18, a 27-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the investigation on suspicion of kidnapping, she has since been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in January 2024.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb, said: “We have spoken to Mr Henry’s family and we fully understand the deep distress this development will cause.
“I have assured his family that the search to find Mr Henry continues and I know they will be hoping that all may yet be well.
“However, based on all the available evidence, we have approached the CPS who have authorised a charge of murder.
“I want the public to understand that this charge does not mean the end of our appeal.
“We still need all the help the public can give and we still need anyone who has any information, no matter how small they think it is, to make contact and tell us what they know.”
Mr Henry was reported missing on October 16. He has not been seen or heard from by his family since and they have said this is out of character.
He has links to the Honor Oak area and was last seen in person on the evening of October 15, at his partner’s home in Brixton.
He was seen on CCTV later that evening buying food at a McDoanld’s drive-thru in London Road, Croydon, at around 10pm.
A spokesman for the Met said: “At this time we believe Justin drove from McDoanld’s to a nearby location in Croydon where his vehicle, a silver Mercedes E Class, remained for about two-and-a-half hours.
“The Mercedes was later found in Kingswood Drive, Sydenham Hill.
“It is unclear who was driving the vehicle when it arrived at Kingswood Drive due to indistinct CCTV images of the driver, but Justin’s family state that it is not him.”
A spokesman from the Met said: “Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter/X @MetCC. Please quote Operation Ashgulf or CAD 5224/21Oct.
“To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/”
Pictured top: Justin Henry, who has been missing since October 16 (Picture: The Met)