Justin Henry’s disappearance ends in tragedy as friends convicted in shocking manslaughter case

In a deeply unsettling case that has shaken Croydon, two men have been found guilty of manslaughter after attempting to hide the body of their friend in the boot of a car following a fatal incident.

Justin Henry, 34, was reported missing after he failed to return home on 15 October 2023. Weeks later, police discovered his body concealed in the boot of a car, sparking outrage and disbelief in the community.

The trial at Woolwich Crown Court revealed how Lewis Benjamin, 30, and Jamal Ali-Richards, 29, went to disturbing lengths to cover up Henry’s death. The incident reportedly unfolded at Benjamin’s flat on Waddon New Road, where something went tragically wrong. What followed was a botched and macabre attempt to hide the truth.

Investigators meticulously pieced together Henry’s last known movements, with CCTV footage capturing him at a McDonald’s drive-thru shortly before his disappearance. This crucial lead brought detectives straight to Benjamin’s doorstep. What they found only deepened suspicions.

Inside Benjamin’s flat, a grim scene awaited. The home had been stripped bare of furniture and subjected to an intense cleaning effort — but not thorough enough. Forensic teams uncovered blood matching Henry’s DNA and other evidence that suggested a violent event had occurred. Carpets were found soaked in blood, and attempts to sanitise the space only underscored the apparent desperation of those involved.

Henry’s car, which had inexplicably changed locations in the days following his disappearance, became a central clue. Police discovered his lifeless body stuffed inside the vehicle’s boot after tracking its movements. That discovery dismantled any remaining façade of innocence.

In a last-ditch effort to escape justice, Benjamin attempted to flee. His capture on 24 October 2023 came after a dramatic scene where he was found trying to escape through his garden. Ali-Richards, meanwhile, turned himself in to police and faced the same charges.

Initially charged with murder and perverting the course of justice, the charges were reduced during the eight-week trial that began in February 2025. Both men were convicted of manslaughter, marking the end of a complex and emotional legal process.

The court heard how the pair panicked after Henry’s death and made a series of incriminating choices in an attempt to distance themselves from what had happened. Their attempt to evade justice ultimately failed under the weight of overwhelming forensic and circumstantial evidence.

Detective Chief Inspector Craig Magee, who led the investigation, praised the perseverance of Henry’s family. “This has been a truly harrowing ordeal,” he said. “Their strength throughout this process has been incredible. I hope today’s verdict offers them some measure of peace.”

The community continues to grieve the loss of a man described as vibrant and full of life. What began as a missing persons case escalated into a nightmare, culminating in a courtroom reckoning for those responsible.

Benjamin and Ali-Richards now await sentencing in June 2025, with the court expected to consider the gravity of their actions and the long-lasting trauma inflicted on Henry’s loved ones.

For Croydon, the case serves as a chilling reminder of how quickly tragedy can unfold behind closed doors — and the importance of seeking justice, even when the truth is buried deep in deception.