Two Men Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Croydon after Body Found in Car Boot
Justin Henry’s Mysterious Death
Two men have been convicted of manslaughter after 34-year-old Justin Henry’s body was discovered in the boot of a car in Purley, weeks after he vanished.
After an eight-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Lewis Benjamin (30) of Croydon and Jamal Ali-Richards (29) of Norwood were found guilty of manslaughter on Thursday, 10 April. Both men were cleared of murder.
Disappearance Sparks Massive Police Hunt
Justin was last seen on the evening of Sunday, 15 October 2023 at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Croydon. CCTV footage showed his car arriving at Benjamin’s address, where it stayed for over two hours before moving elsewhere – raising alarm bells.
The following day, Justin’s family reported him missing after he failed to return from visiting his girlfriend. Police quickly declared Benjamin’s flat a crime scene after discovering blood spatter on the walls and a section of carpet soaked in Justin’s blood — later found discarded in black bin bags nearby.
Suspects Arrested and Evidence Uncovered
- Benjamin was arrested on 24 October. He tried to flee and disposed of his phone, but data from the device revealed contact with Justin before the disappearance.
- Ali-Richards handed himself in three days later and faced murder charges.
- Police found two vehicles bought by the suspects shortly after Justin’s death. One was parked near Dale Road, Purley, where Justin’s body was found on 6 November.
- Both men tried to cover their tracks by deep-cleaning the flat, removing furniture, and changing vehicle plates.
Verdict Brings Some Closure
Benjamin admitted perverting the course of justice in February, and Ali-Richards pleaded guilty to the same charge in March. Despite denying murder, the jury found them guilty of manslaughter.
Detective Chief Inspector Craig Magee said: “Benjamin and Ali-Richards went to great lengths to dispose of evidence and cover their tracks. The team worked tirelessly to piece together the evidence and establish the facts. I hope today’s verdict allows the family to start rebuilding their lives.”
He added the case had a “long-lasting and devastating impact” on Justin’s loved ones.
Sentencing for the two men is scheduled for Tuesday, 10 June 2025 at Woolwich Crown Court.
