South Norwood man murdered while visiting pal

12:44pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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A cop who is spearheading an investigation into a double murder in which a South Norwood man died has said it is one of the worst cases he has investigated.

On Sunday night, emergency services were called to a ground floor Sterling Gardens' flat, where a fire had broken out.

�Yesterday I had to do the hardest thing I have ever done in the police and that was to break the news and gruesome details of the injuries the boys had received to the families.�

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Duthie

Crews managed to extinguish the blaze, only to discover the bodies of two men, Gabriel Ferez, 23 from South Norwood and friend Laurent Bonomo, 23.

Mr Ferez had been visiting his pal at his rented New Cross flat at the time of the murder.

Postmortem examinations have revealed the men - both from France and working on a three month research project at Imperial College - were seriously injured before the flames took hold, each with stab wounds to their head, neck and chest.

The pair had been stabbed a total of 243 times.

An incident room has opened at Sutton under Detective Chief Inspector Mick Duthie, who is working with the Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire.

Speaking at a press conference today he said: "Yesterday I had to do the hardest thing I have ever done in the police and that was to break the news and gruesome details of the injuries the boys had received to the families."

He added: "The extent of the injuries are horrific. Everyone working on this case, including myself, has been deeply shocked by what we have seen.

DCI Duthie confirmed the families of the two men had flown from France to identify the bodies.

Emergency services had been called to the flat after reports of an explosion.

DCI Duthie explained he was hoping for information about a white man who was seen running away from the scene of the fire.

So far investigators are at a loss to explain the motive for the murders, but believe it is possibly a case of mistaken identity.

"I am appealing for anyone who was in the area of Sterling Gardens at any time over the weekend, and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious near the address, to get in touch," DCI Duthie said.

"I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anyone near the premises around 9.30pm that Sunday night."

Anyone with any information can telephone 020 8721 4155.

• Did you know Mr Ferez? Call the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555.