A man has been charged with the murder of Justin Henry after he disappeared in south London almost two weeks ago.
The 34-year-old was reported missing on October 16 after he was last seen in person leaving his partner's house in Brixton the day before, and was last captured on CCTV in Croydon that same evening ordering at a McDonald's drive-thru.
Louis Benjamin, 29, was arrested at a Croydon address on Tuesday and on Wednesday charged with killing Mr Henry, the Metropolitan Police said.
He appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and will next appear at the Central Criminal Court on October 30.
Justin's family have been informed of the murder charge, the force said, but Mr Henry is yet to be found.
Detectives are still appealing to the public for information to piece together his movements on Sunday, October 15 and the early hours of Monday, October 16.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: "We have spoken to Mr Henry’s family and we fully understand the deep distress this development will cause. I have assured his family that the search to find Mr Henry continues and I know they will be hoping that all may yet be well.
"However, based on all the available evidence, we have approached the CPS who have authorised a charge of murder.
"I want the public to understand that this charge does not mean the end of our appeal. We still need all the help the public can give and we still need anyone who has any information, no matter how small they think it is, to make contact and tell us what they know.
"This is not just a plea to help police. Mr Henry’s family are enduring a dreadful ordeal and they are desperate for news and are also seeking your help.”
At around 9.50pm on October 15 Mr Henry was seen on CCTV buying food at a McDonald’s drive-thru on London Road in Croydon.
Officers believe he drove from that restaurant to nearby Waddon New Road where his car, a silver Mercedes E Class, remained for around two-and-a-half hours.
The Mercedes was later located on Monday October 16 in Kingswood Drive, near Crystal Palace.
The Met previously said it was unclear who was driving the Mercedes when it arrived at Kingswood Drive shortly after 1am on October 16 due to the indistinct CCTV image of the driver, but Justin’s family state that it was not him.
On October 18 a woman, 27, was arrested in connection with the investigation on suspicion of kidnapping.
She has since been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in mid-January 2024.
Officers have carried out forensic examinations of a property in Croydon and Mr Henry's car, as well as extensive CCTV and phone inquiries.
But detectives "desperately need more information about Justin’s disappearance and the days leading up to him going missing", the Met said on Thursday.
Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter/X @MetCC. Please quote Operation Ashgulf or CAD 5224/21Oct.
