Former Havering College student Dean Pascal-Modeste, 21, may have been killed in ‘a case of mistaken identity’
Police believe the fatal stabbing of Dean Anthony Pascale-Modeste was a case of mistaken identity. Picture: Met Police. - Credit: Archant
Detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of Dean Pascal-Modeste, 21, have suggested the young music producer may have been killed in a case of mistaken identity.
Officers have today repeated their appeal for information as they return to the scene one week after his killing.
Dean, a former student at Havering College, was found stabbed to death in Lewisham on February 24.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by attending officers who were called at 3.45pm following reports of a man believed to be in possession of a firearm in nearby Mottingham.
On arrival they were led to a man who had been stabbed. One 20-year-old man and three young men aged 16, 18 and 19 were arrested near the scene on suspicion of murder. They have since been bailed pending enquiries.
Det Insp Richard Leonard, from the Met’s homicide and major crime command, said he “strongly believed that this was a case of mistaken identity”.
He said: “We are appealing for witnesses in relation to the murder of Dean. He had travelled from Barking to Grove Park that day to help friends shoot a music video.
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“He has no association with the area and was standing innocently with a friend in Lambscroft Avenue when he was confronted by a group of young men armed with knives and other weapons who chased him into Charlesfield where he was fatally attacked.”
The detective praised the courage and compassion of residents who tried to help Dean by administering first aid despite some of the group still being in the area.
He added: “Dean’s family are devastated by the loss of a loving son and brother in the most tragic of circumstances.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 020 8721 4812, or police via 101 or by tweeting @MetCC.
Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
