A 36-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering Marvin Dickson, 40, whose decomposed body was discovered in a bathtub inside a flat.
DNA and CCTV Crack the Case
Dante Forrest, from Moselle Avenue, Haringey, was convicted today at the Old Bailey. The Met Police nailed him using high-tech DNA evidence from blood found on a pizza box at the crime scene. They also sifted through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage to track Forrest’s movements.
The footage showed Forrest wearing Marvin’s trainers just days after the murder – the same shoes Marvin was last seen wearing before he disappeared. Forensic experts also matched blood stains on a shirt in the flat to Marvin’s blood, smashing Forrest’s attempt to cover his tracks.
Chilling Find in Locked Flat
Police were called to Moselle Avenue on 20 September 2024 after neighbours reported a terrible smell. The flat was locked, boarded up, and pitch black inside. Forced entry revealed Marvin’s body slumped in the bathtub. He had been dead for about ten days.
A post-mortem showed multiple injuries, including fractured skull and stab wounds. No signs of forced entry meant the killer had access to the flat and locked it behind them.
Family Pay Tribute After Conviction
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone involved in this case,” Marvin’s family said. “Though justice has been served, no verdict can bring him back or ease the pain. Marvin will forever be loved, missed, and remembered.”
Detective Inspector Mark Johnson from the Met’s Specialist Crime Unit added: “Today’s conviction will hopefully bring some closure to Marvin’s family. They have shown incredible strength throughout this investigation.”
What’s Next for the Convicted Killer?
Forrest was arrested on 25 September and charged with murder. He is set to be sentenced on 18 November at the Old Bailey.
