A man has been convicted of murder after forensic analysis of discarded cigarette butts at the scene linked him to the crime.
Zak Baako, 29, of no fixed address, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday, 20 December, of the murder of 27-year-old Michael Patrick Afonso Peixoto, along with additional offences.
Incident Overview
On 19 December 2023, police were called to Mayfield Crescent in Thornton Heath around 10:30 p.m. following reports of a serious assault.
Officers, along with the London Ambulance Service, discovered Michael with multiple stab wounds. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation, led by detectives from the Specialist Crime Command, revealed that a group of men had arrived at the location in a white BMW and waited for approximately 30 minutes. Michael and a friend arrived shortly after in a Vauxhall Grandland.
Michael exited the car and was confronted by a man wielding a large knife. He was stabbed multiple times, including in the chest, while attempting to return to his car. The suspects then threatened his friend with a knife, forced her out of the car, and stole it. The stolen vehicle was later found abandoned nearby.
Breakthrough Investigation
During searches of the area, officers discovered cigarette butts near where the suspects’ BMW was parked. Forensic analysis linked the DNA on the cigarettes to:
- Zak Baako, 29
- John Budal, 20, of Ena Road, Thornton Heath
- Omari Peat, 23, of Southampton Gardens, Mitcham
All three were arrested and charged with murder and robbery within a month of the incident.
Court Verdicts
After a four-week trial at the Old Bailey, the jury delivered their verdicts on Friday, 20 December:
- Zak Baako: Found guilty of murder and robbery
- John Budal: Found guilty of manslaughter and robbery, but not guilty of murder
- Omari Peat: Found guilty of robbery, but not guilty of murder or manslaughter
Sentencing Date
All three men are scheduled to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 13 January 2025.
Statement from the Police
Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe said:
“Zak Baako arrived that day, armed with a knife and prepared to use it against Michael Afonso Peixoto.
“It’s been just over a year since Michael was killed, leaving his family, including his young son, devastated.
“Whilst this Christmas will be no easier than the last for his family, I hope that this result allows them to start moving forward.”
This conviction highlights the crucial role of forensic evidence in bringing justice to victims of violent crime.
