Chadwell Heath murder: Teenager jailed for fatally stabbing 16-year-old boy on bus

A teenager who stabbed a 16-year-old schoolboy to death with a zombie knife on a London bus has been found guilty of murder.

Amateur boxer Tyler Hurley died in hospital after being stabbed on the 173 bus in High Road, Chadwell Heath in March.

Carlton Tanueh, 19, of no fixed address, was jailed for a minimum of 26 years after a jury found him guilty of his murder at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, December 14.

He had pleaded guilty to two counts of being in possession of an offensive weapon at a previous court hearing and was sentenced to two years and six months to run concurrently.

On March 14, Tanueh, then aged 18, was travelling on the bus when he spotted Tyler waiting at the bus stop on Chadwell Heath High Road.

Tanueh was armed with two large zombie knives which he had concealed under his clothing.

He used one of the knives to fatally stab Tyler.

In the weeks prior to the killing, Tyler and his friends had uploaded a music video to YouTube mocking a number of Tanueh’s friends.

Associates of Tanueh had already attempted a reprisal attack against Tyler and his friends two weeks before the murder.

After that incident, Tyler posted on social media that he had escaped unharmed.

Upon seeing Tyler waiting at the bus stop, Tanueh got off the bus as it stopped to pick up Tyler and his friends; before re-boarding the bus, arming himself ready to carry out the deadly attack.

CCTV captured Tyler attempting to make his way to the back of the bus away from his attacker before Tanueh fatally stabbed him.

After stabbing Tyler, Tanueh got off the bus to pursue Tyler’s friend but a member of the public had called 999 to report him.

Officers discovered Tanueh hiding behind a garden wall in Burlington Gardens.

Further police searches recovered the knife that Tanueh used to kill Tyler.

During an interview Tanueh answered ‘no comment’ to all questions put to him by detectives. He was charged on March 16.

Det Ch Insp Mark Rogers, who led the investigation, said: “Tanueh saw his opportunity to get revenge in relation to the ongoing feud and perceived slight against his friends.

“He was intent on violence that day, travelling with knives.

“Tanueh had posted on social media that he was out looking for someone, that someone we suggested and the jury agreed, was Tyler.

“I really want to pay tribute to the members of the public who intervened in this incident. After the attack, a witness followed Tanueh and updated 999 call handlers on his movements.

“This was incredibly brave and undoubtedly helped officers apprehend Tanueh just a few roads away from the scene.

“Bystanders also helped provide first aid to Tyler before the arrival of emergency services.

“This was a callous attack in broad daylight that understandably shocked the local community, as well as Tyler’s fellow pupils and teachers at his school.

“I also hope that this case will serve as a warning - no good ever comes from carrying a knife.”

Tyler’s mum said: “Since losing my son Tyler Hurley my whole life feels like it has stopped in time. I have not slept through the night since I lost Tyler. This Christmas will not be the same without him.

“I have changed my whole way of life now to protect my other children. I feel that I cannot let them go out of my sight in case something happens to them.

“In my mind I can’t believe that I have to live my life without my Tyler.

“When I contracted Covid for the first time, it was Tyler who made me dinners and would leave them outside my bedroom door as I didn’t want any of the children to be exposed to the virus.

“Every morning I would wake up and think that it was just a bad nightmare but then the realisation that Tyler has gone comes to the forefront of my mind.”

Tyler’s sister said: “Tyler never deserved to die. He was 16. Just 16. With the opportunity to learn from his mistakes and grow into the amazing young man he was becoming, cruelly stolen from him.

“Tyler, you were the heart and soul of our family. You were and will forever be my biggest champion, there just aren’t enough words to describe how proud of you, I really am.

“You achieved so much in such a short space of time, from never losing a boxing fight to showing consistent pure dedication and unconditional loyalty.

“You are one of a kind Tyler, and I promised you, the day I held your hand for the last time, that I would never stop telling the world how amazing you truly are, inside and out. There aren’t many hearts like yours Ty.”