The mother of a Kingsbury man who was stabbed to death in a ‘motiveless’ attack inside a bar is appealing for information leading to her son’s killer.
Josh Hanson was stabbed in the neck in front of drinkers inside ‘RE Bar’ in Eastcote on Sunday morning at around 1.10am.
The 21-year-old was at the bar with his girlfriend and some friends when he approached by a man who stabbed once in the neck in an unprovoked attack that lasted just seconds.
Mr Hanson, who worked as a roads planner, died at the scene.
Today his grieving mother Tracey Hanson urged anyone with information about the murder to come forward.
She said: “Josh was a son that any mother would wish for. He was a hard-working man who provided for his family. He was also carving out a promising career for himself. He had already made plans to see more of the world next year.
“He was always smiling and laughing, he made everyone laugh with his upbeat approach to life.
“For all those who met him they only had good things to say and this is being reflected in the offers of condolence to myself, his friends and family.
“Please, if you know anything, come forward and tell the police who committed this horrific murder and inform them of their whereabouts.”
Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, who is leading the murder hunt, believes someone inside the bar knows who the killer is.
He said: “Most people in the bar would have known each other and someone will know who the killer is and where he is now.
“There were 30-40 people in the bar at the time, many of whom left the venue as paramedics worked to save Josh’s life. It is imperative these people contact us to let us know what they saw.
“I am appealing to anyone who was in the RE bar between midnight and the time of the incident, just after 1am, to contact us.
“I would also appeal to anyone who had been at the RE bar throughout Saturday night, even if they left before Josh was attacked, to contact us. Even if you think you did not see anything we need to account for everyone who was there that night.
“Josh was a hard-working young lad, up at 5am for his job as a roads planner and often working seven days a week. He had everything to live for and when he went out that Saturday night no one could have imagined what would happen to him. His family are in pieces.”
Witnesses or anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8785 8099 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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