New Appeal Issued Over 2010 Mistaken Identity Murder

A new appeal for information has been issued on the fifth anniversary of the murder of Ricardo Cunha.

Mr Cunha was shot at his home in West Norwood in a case of mistaken identity on Saturday, 11 September, 2010.

Detectives investigating the 2010 murder believe the shooting was a case of mistaken identity and Ricardo, who was 23 at the time of his death, was never the intended target.

A £30,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to the conviction of the person or people responsible.

On the night of the murder, Mr Cunha and his girlfriend were watching television in their bedroom in their flat in Pondfield House, Elder Road, SE27.

They were disturbed by knocking at the front door at around 23:20hrs and Ricardo went to investigate. On looking out of the front bedroom window he was shot.

Police and the London Ambulance Service were called to the address but Ricardo could not be saved and he died at the scene.

Over the years detectives have continued to appeal for information and in 2011 they issued an image of a 1924 Webley Mark Six Revolver which may have been the murder weapon.

They believe it could have been kept as a keepsake, with the possibility that it may have been stolen in an unreported burglary before finding its way into the hands of Ricardo's killer.

Detectives know that the same gun was fired during an incident just three days after Ricardo's murder.

On Tuesday, 14 September 2010, it was fired in Picton House on the Clapham Park Estate, Brixton. No one was injured during the incident and the gun was found on the Clapham Manor Estate the following day. Forensics later identified that this type of gun was used in Ricardo's murder.

Detective Inspector Alison Hepworth from the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC) said: "Ricardo's family have been left devastated by his death which has been made ever the more difficult as the person or people responsible have yet to be brought to justice. His family has spent the last five years hoping that someone would do the right thing and come forward and assist the police with their investigation.

"Ricardo was a young man who was mercilessly gunned down and those responsible for his death have continued to live their life whilst Ricardo was robbed of the chance of living his.

"We believe that someone knows who shot an innocent man in his own home. With the passage of time allegiances can change and we are directly appealing to those for whatever reason did not come forward at the time to use this opportunity to come and speak to us now. Any information provided no matter how small will be treated in the strictest of confidence."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room on 0208 721 4005 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(MH/CD)