Kodjo Yenga

'Kodjo's family would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support, may God bless all of you. Meanwhile we will try and move on with the help of the Lord Jesus Christ. Signed Lubi Tackson Okandja'


Kodjo died from a single knife wound to the heart on Wednesday 14th March 2007.

Kodjo's girlfriend Cookie said they were walking along Hammersmith Grove, Hammersmith, when a boy approached and picked a fight.

She told the London Evening Standard: "Kodjo is not afraid of anyone so he said, 'Come on, let's do this.' They went round a corner to be somewhere a bit quieter but we were ambushed.

"Suddenly all these boys came from round the corner. They all had weapons - knives, hammers and baseball bats. It was set up."
Witnesses described seeing a gang of boys and several girls chanting "kill him, kill him" and throwing sticks at Kodjo, before he was attacked.

They are believed to have been trying to take his Staffordshire bull terrier - a much prized gang accessory - which he would not hand over.

Cookie said she had cradled the boy as he lay dying, saying to him: "Please, please don't die because I need you."

Kodjo's friend Natalie Hunter told Sky News: "I heard he got stabbed up in his heart, tortured and he begged for his life and people (his attackers) would not stop and no one was there to help him.

"I just don't understand why kids are killing kids."

Kodjo, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, had been a student at St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College in west London.

Headteacher Paul O'Shea described him as "friendly, gentle and peaceful" with an "excellent record".

Anyone with information should call the incident room or 020 8534 4142 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


You didnt deserve to die Kodjo. May your blessed soul rest in perfect peace. We will all miss you xxx