Daughter appeals for help in finding Penge dad’s killer in case of mistaken identity

Police are renewing an appeal for information following a fatal shooting, as the victim’s daughter pleas for the public’s help to catch his killer.

It is now one month on from the fatal shooting of Dean Edwards in Penge, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, July 12.

Homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command now believe they are dealing with a case of mistaken identity.

Dean was walking through Betts Park on his way home from meeting his friends for a drink, and was about to leave the park via the Croydon Road exit when he was shot in the back of the head.

CCTV footage has shown that Dean left the pub shortly at around 11.50pm on Saturday, July 12 and started making his way home.

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

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 2.20am but Dean was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers from the Specialist Crime South Command are investigating and have been conducting numerous enquiries. No arrests have been made.

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. Please speak to the police or Crimestoppers.”

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.”

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, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Pictured top: Betts Park in Penge where Dean was murdered