Brutal Rush Common Murder Solved: Two Men Convicted
On July 12, 2021, Mauricio ‘Maurice’ Nascimento, 44, was found dead in Rush Common, SW2, after a savage attack. He suffered a broken nose, fractured skull and neck, and nearly all his ribs were broken. The shocking violence sparked a murder investigation, but initial leads were scarce.
DNA Evidence Cracks Cold Case
Forensic experts struck gold with DNA tests on a discarded belt and Maurice’s unbuttoned shirt. They matched Arturas Ptickinas, 29, from Norwood High Street, SE27, with a one-in-a-billion certainty. Ptickinas’ DNA was also found on Maurice’s wrists, proving he helped drag the victim’s body into the bushes.
Further tests uncovered DNA from three men on Maurice’s face and neck—where he was struck. Alongside Maurice and Ptickinas, the third man was Ernestas Aleksandrovas, 29, also of Norwood High Street. Aleksandrovas’s DNA was even found on Maurice’s right hand, again with a one-in-a-billion chance of error.
CCTV and Mobile Phone Seal the Case
- CCTV footage showed Ptickinas and Aleksandrovas leaving their home, heading toward Rush Common at the time of the murder.
- Aleksandrovas’s phone was pinged near Rush Common at 3:16 AM on the deadly night, tying him to the crime scene.
Justice Served at Kingston Crown Court
On Friday, January 20, both men appeared at Kingston Crown Court. After a gripping trial, Arturas Ptickinas was found guilty of murder. Ernestas Aleksandrovas was convicted of murder and perverting the course of justice.
“This case demonstrated how the Met combines forensic expertise with the investigative skills of our homicide detectives to solve murders,” said Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley.
“We will never know the full story behind Maurice Nascimento’s death, but we do know the attack was brutal, merciless, and completely unjustified. I’m relieved these two men have been jailed and will be off our streets for a long time.”
