Mother of Cheyon Evans, murdered in Wandsworth, appeals for son’s death to be catalyst for change

A mum has pleaded for the murder of her son to be the spark for young people to be given better opportunities in life, after the conviction of his killer.

Cheyon Evans, 18, was stabbed to death by Fernando Pope, 21, in Deeside Road, Wandsworth on June 14 last year.

Pope, of no fixed address, pictured below, was convicted of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey and will be sentenced the same court on February 7.

The court heard how police were called shortly before 4.45pm that Friday to reports of the stabbing and found 18-year-old Cheyon in a critical condition.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, including those from London’s air ambulance, he died at the scene a short time later.

Cheyon’s mother said: “My heart will forever be broken and I can’t picture a day where I won’t grieve the loss of my son.

“I have a permanent hole in my heart that can never be filled and will never stop bleeding.

“My only hope is that Cheyon, like many others that were brutally and horrifically murdered on the streets of London in 2019, will be a name, a story that inspires the government to create change, a better future and better opportunities for the children of yesterday, today and tomorrow.”

In a statement, Cheyon’s family added: “Cheyon was an amazing son, brother, uncle, nephew, grandson, great-grandson, cousin, friend.

“He played a very important role at home, he was the man of the house. The family can’t find the words to describe how they feel at this time other than complete and utter emptiness.

“Losing Cheyon has affected so many of his family and friends. It has torn their world apart and changed the family dynamic forever. It has truly been the most devastating, traumatic and surreal thing that could’ve happened.”

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

Homicide detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime unit launched an investigation and established that Pope had used a large knife to repeatedly stab Cheyon.

Pope was identified via CCTV and was arrested on Thursday, June 20. He was charged the following day and remanded in custody.

The motivation for the fatal attack has never been established.

Detective Chief Inspector Helen Rance, who led the investigation, said: “Pope is clearly a dangerous man who was intent on causing serious harm that afternoon in broad daylight on a busy residential estate.