Anne with baby Wayne and holding a picture of her late partner

Family of murdered Tottenham man appeal for witnesses

by Flora Drury Thursday, July 5, 2012
12:12 PM

The family of a Tottenham father-to-be gunned down in east London will return the scene of the crime to once again appeal for witnesses on the second anniversary of his death tonight.

Wayne Powell, who was killed in east London two years ago.

Wayne Powell’s family will join detectives investigating his murder in Higham Station Avenue, Chingford, from 10pm, where they will hand out leaflets appealing for witnesses and information.

Keen bodybuilder and DJ Mr Powell - whose fiancée Anne Boriel was five months pregnant at the time of his death - was sat in his car close to the gym he used in Higham Station Avenue at about 11:10pm on Monday, July 5, 2010, when a lone gunman approached the vehicle.

The Stonebridge Road resident, 38, got out of the black BMW to talk to the man - who then fired four fatal shots before calmly making off along a footpath in the direction of Coningsby Gardens.

The motive for the killing is still unclear.

Ms Boriel, whose son Wayne is now 20 months old, has previously spoken to the Journal about how hard it is still not knowing why her fiancé, who worked at Seven Sisters Tube station, was murdered.

Speaking in January last year, she said: “It has been a very difficult time because we don’t know the reason and there has been no closure. We don’t really know anything and that is the hardest thing.”

Her thoughts were echoed today by Det Insp Dave Rock, who said: “Two years have passed and Wayne’s family deserve to know who is responsible for his death.

“Wayne was a good man; he was not involved in criminality or gangs. He worked hard for a living and was universally popular.

“This was a cold-blooded and cowardly shooting. If you have any information or suspicions about who killed him please come forward.

“You can approach us in absolute confidence - if you are worried, please just call so we can put your mind at rest before you pass on any information.”

A £20,000 reward is still on offer for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the murder.

The gunman is described as possibly black, about 5ft 10ins and wearing a tracksuit. The weapon used is believed to be a handgun.

The motive for the murder remains unclear.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 0208 733 4212. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.