Forest Gate man’s murder “a case of mistaken identity” as £10,000 reward offered

Wilson Alexandre Garcia Varela was shot dead in Kentish Town

A £10,000 reward is being offered for help finding out who killed a man from Forest Gate in a drive-by shooting.

Wilson Alexandre Garcia Varela had left his girlfriend’s house to buy milk and was shot dead minutes later. 

DCI Simon Stancombe said: “The investigation so far indicates that the death of Wilson Alexandre Garcia Varela was a case of mistaken identity and that he was wrongly targeted by gang members.

“I would like everyone who is protecting the identity of the murderers to know that on the day he was murdered, Wilson was simply getting on with a normal day.

“He left his girlfriend’s house to buy some milk and minutes later his life was violently, and abruptly, ended.”

The 24-year-old was targeted in Malden Road, Kentish Town just before midnight on Sunday, 8 September.

A post-mortem found his cause of death to be a shotgun wound to the chest.

No arrests have been made so far.

“Wilson would have had a bright future,” DCI Stancombe said. “Instead his life is over and he leaves behind a devastated family and partner who are wondering why he was taken from them.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that there are people out there who know exactly who is responsible for Wilson’s death. The callous people who did this have no respect for the lives of others, why would anyone protect people like that? If you know anything, do the right thing and call me now, before they harm someone else.”

The charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information that they receive anonymously that leads to the conviction of the person or people responsible for Wilson’s murder.

Alexa Loukas, from the charity, said: “We know that for some people, the truth may be close to home. It maybe someone you know personally was involved in serious violence. You may have a sense of loyalty to that individual but want to do the right thing.

“Please remember that Crimestoppers, as an independent charity, keeps its promise of 100% anonymity each and every day to those who trusts us with their crime information. Share what you know by calling our UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111 or using our website’s anonymous online form. No one will know your identity. We cannot trace your call or track your IP address and we never ask for or record any personal information.

“If you’re a young person, you can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers’ dedicated youth service by visiting Fearless.org.”