Old Street murder: Police release image of man sought following Hackney Boxing Day fatal stabbing

Detectives investigating the murder of a man on Boxing Day have released an image of a man they want to locate.

Jerejs Vankovs, 38, is sought for the murder of 49-year-old Michael Murphy who died after being stabbed in Cranwell Street, Hackney at around 3.10am on Tuesday December 26.

An investigation was launched after Michael was stabbed in the early hours of Boxing Day.

His next of kin have been informed and continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

Det Ch Insp Kelly Allen from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command leads the investigation and said:

“We have been working tirelessly to locate Jerejs Vankovs but have yet to find him. We are now asking for the public’s help to locate him.

“From what we understand, Vankovs and Michael were known to each other and both lived a transient lifestyle in the local area. I would ask people in the Shoreditch and wider Hackney area to keep a lookout for him. If you see Vankovs, please do not approach him but call 999 immediately.”

Det Ch Sup James Conway, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “The support of the Hackney community is vital in assisting us to find Jerejs Vankovs. We continue to work closely with our local partners to track him down but I would urge anyone who sees Vankovs, or knows of his whereabouts, to get in contact immediately.”

For an immediate sighting of Jerejs Vankovs, do not approach him but dial 999 immediately. If you have any other information about this whereabouts, or that could assist the investigation, please call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD669/26Dec.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.