25 Years On, Ricky’s Mysterious Thames Death Still Haunts Kingston
It’s been 25 years since 20-year-old Ricky vanished after a night out in Kingston. The grim discovery of his body in the River Thames a week later left a community searching for answers — and still waiting.
The Night It All Went Wrong
On Tuesday, 14 October 1997, Ricky had been drinking with his mates. Later that night, as they roamed through Kingston town centre, two white men, aged 18 to 30, hurled racial abuse at Ricky and his friends. An altercation broke out — though Ricky stayed out of the fight and walked off alone. He was never seen alive again.
Met Police Still Hunting Clues
The Metropolitan Police have slammed the brakes on no stone unturned. Hundreds of statements have been taken, media appeals made, and local leaflets handed out in a desperate bid to crack the mystery. But, despite an inquest in 1999 returning an open verdict, no arrests or charges have ever followed.
Commander Catherine Roper, Specialist Crime, said: “It has been 25 years since Ricky died. My thoughts are with Ricky’s family and the pain they must still feel today. I hope this appeal will encourage people to come forward with any piece of information they may have, however small, to help us piece together what happened that night in Kingston.
We remain hopeful that we can provide answers for the family, and we need the help of the public to achieve this.”
Can You Help Solve This Cold Case?
Detectives urge anyone with info to call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Even the smallest clue could finally bring justice for Ricky and his grieving family.
