Josh Hanson murder: Mother and sister in emotional video appeal to catch his killer
Tracey and Brook Hanson are appealling for information - Credit: Archant
The mother and sister of Kingsbury man who was stabbed to death have made an emotional video appeal to help find his killer.
Josh Hanson as stabbed to death on October 11 - Credit: Archant
Josh Hanson, 21, was murdered in an ‘unprovoked and motiveless attack’ inside the RE Bar in Eastcote in the early hours of October 11.
Today police have released a video featuring Tracey Hanson and her daughter Brooke appealing for information leading to his killer.
Mr Hanson, a roads planner, was in the bar with his girlfriend and several pals when a man approached him and stabbed him in his neck in front of 30 – 40 people who were also in the venue.
In a heart-rendering plea for information Mr Hanson’s mother Tracey said: “Be brave like us.
“We have to be brave every single day to help catch the person that did this.
“Josh was funny, caring, king, considerate, compassionate, hard working, supportive, generally pretty much perfect to me.”
Police are offering a �10,000 reward leading to the whereabouts of Shane O'Brien - Credit: Archant
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His sister added: “I can’t even begin to think why someone would do that to Josh. “Why would someone take him away from us?
“We just want anyone to come forward. Please don’t be scared because it will help us and it would help everyone around us.
“We just want to give Josh what he deserves and that’s justice.”
RE bar is in Eastcote (Pic credt: Google) - Credit: Archant
Detectives investigating the murder are offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of 27-year-old suspect Shane O’Brian.
DCI Noel McHugh, who is leading the murder hunt, also appears in the video.
He said: “We are actively seeking the whereabouts of Shane O’Brien. We have released a picture and we would like to know where Shane O’Brien is now.
The website has raised more than £26,000 in seven days - Credit: Archant
“We want to speak in regards to Josh’s murder.
“Anyone who is hesitating whether to make that call or is wondering if it is the right thing to do please look at the devastation it has caused to Josh’s family.
“They need justice; they need you to make that call to the police today so that we can get justice for Josh.”
Last week the family set up a fundraising page to establish a charity in Mr Hanson’s memory.
The monies raised will go towards the 21-year-old’s funeral and the ‘Justice for Josh Hanson’ charity which will campaign against knife crime.
The website has raised more than £26,000 towards its £30,000 target since it was launched thanks to generous donators who have been moved by the tragedy.
To make a donation visit gofundme.com/joshhanson.
Witnesses or anyone with information about the whereabouts of Shane O’Brien should call the incident room on 020 8785 8099 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
