The daughter of an “innocent family man” shot dead in Penge paid tribute to her father as a fresh appeal is launched a month on from his murder.  

Dean Edwards, 43, was returning home from the pub shortly after midnight on Saturday, July 12, when he was shot in the back of the head as he exited Betts Park.

With police now treating the murder as a case of mistaken identity, detectives are seeking information from anyone who may have observed suspicious activity in the area that evening.

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Dean’s Daughter, Hollie Edwards, said: “Our dad was a friendly, bubbly and loving person.

“He was the best dad that we could have ever asked for and was an amazing grandad to our children. This last month, without him, has been the hardest time of our lives.

“Dad was funny, kind and generous.

“He couldn’t sing for toffee but still loved the karaoke and was the biggest Formula 1 fan that you could ever meet.

“If you needed help, he would be the first one there. He was never confrontational and hated arguments; he was a big softie at heart.

“It doesn’t seem real. Every day, I find myself expecting a phone call from him, which will never happen. We will never get to see him or hear his voice again. Not only have I lost my dad but I have lost my friend.

“He was a good, innocent person. Someone out there knows what happened to our dad.

“Someone knows who did this. Please come forward if you have any information that could help officers.”

CCTV shows that Dean left the pub at 11.50pm (July 11) and started making his way home.

He entered Betts Park at 12.15am (July 12) and was walking towards the Croydon Road exit near Tremaine Road junction when he was shot sometime between 12.15am and 1am.

Dean was found collapsed in the road at around 2.20am. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

At this time no arrests have been made.

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Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Kate Kieran, said: “The investigating team is now treating the murder as a case of mistaken identity and is looking at anyone with criminality linked to the park or the area.

“Dean was an innocent family man who was just walking home after going out for a drink with his friends.

“He did not deserve to die as a result of such a horrific and extremely violent act.

“A month has now passed since he was shot and his family is still struggling to come to terms with his death.

“The people that killed Dean had absolutely no regard whatsoever for his life or the devastation that his death would bring to his family.

“My team is working to piece together exactly what happened on the night and we will certainly not rest until we bring the individuals responsible for his death to justice.

“Did you see anyone in or around Betts Park acting suspiciously during the evening of Saturday, 12 July, into the early hours of Sunday? Perhaps you might have seen or heard something before or after this incident that did not feel quite right?

“There will be people out there who will know who has done this – they may well have heard someone talk about it – if you know anything then please contact the police.

“You may think that others have come forward and are reluctant to speak to us, but we urge you to please get in touch if you know anything at all, no matter how insignificant your information may seem.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact homicide detectives via the incident room on 020 8721 4868, or via 101 quoting CAD 1402/12JUL.

Alternatively, you can provide information 100% anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.