Police are urgently seeking the family of an 18-year-old who was stabbed to death early on Monday in Balham.
Detectives on Wednesday identified the victim as Issa Ali Musa Abdulrahman Barakat, who lost his life after a knifing in Laitwood Road at around 6am on Monday.
Officers said it was “devastating” that Issa, who is thought to have been part of the Chadian community, may have relatives who are not yet be aware of his passing.
The appeal came as 21-year-old Salah Al-Mahmoodi, known as Salah Ahmed, was due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court later on Wednesday charged with Issa’s murder.
The Wandsworth resident was arrested in the hours following the stabbing on Monday and charged the next day.
Met Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our hearts go out to Issa and his family, a young man whose life was cruelly taken far too soon.
“It is devastating to think that his family may not yet know of his tragic passing, and we want to find them so we can offer them both support and answers.
“Issa was a member of the Chadian community, and we hope that friends or extended family might help us in reaching his loved ones.”
Anyone with information is being asked to call police via 101 or post on X @MetCC quoting CAD 1017/28Oct.
