Teen Bereket Selomun Stabbed to Death in Stevenage Woodland
Tragedy struck Stevenage early on Thursday morning (7 July) when 20-year-old Bereket Selomun was found dead in woodland near Fairlands Valley Park. The young man suffered multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene just before 7.30 a.m.
Asylum Seeker from Eritrea
Bereket came to England as a teenage asylum seeker from Eritrea and had settled permanently in Stevenage. His next of kin in the UK have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers. Family members in Eritrea have also been notified of the devastating news.
Police Launch Murder Investigation – Appeal for Witnesses
Detective Inspector Iain MacPherson from the BCH Major Crime Unit said: “Although we are following several leads, we still don’t understand the motive behind such a brutal attack on this young man. However, I am confident the answers lie within the young Eritrean community Bereket was part of.”
He urged anyone with information about the murder or suspects to come forward. Police have launched Operation Madrigal and ask witnesses to quote this when reporting:
- Online reporting form: 123
Fighting Knife Crime in Stevenage
Chief Inspector Graeme Walsingham reassured the community: “We take knife crime extremely seriously. Our teams are working around the clock, using intelligence and proactive arrests, regular stop-and-searches, and preventive measures to keep Stevenage safe.”
Stevenage Police have launched Operation EDUC8, delivering powerful presentations about knife and gang crime to year 7 and 8 students across local schools. The campaign will run annually and includes talks at primary schools on personal safety and knife awareness.
The force also collaborates with the Schools and Gangs Team, and Stevenage Borough Council’s ‘No More’ project to support young people at risk of involvement in knife crime. Chief Inspector Walsingham added, “We rely on local residents to share information, and I thank the community for their continued support.”
