First picture of ‘loyal’ schoolboy, 15, stabbed to death in north London estate

The family of a schoolboy fatally stabbed in north London described him as a ‘beautiful, loyal son’ in a moving tribute. 

Adam Henry, 15, pictured here for the first time, was treated for a single stab wound on Tuesday before being taken to hospital where he died.

A murder investigation is ongoing. 

His family said in a statement: ‘Our beautiful son, Adam, was cruelly taken away from us on Tuesday afternoon. He was a loving son, brother, nephew, grandson, friend and we will never recover from the loss and not having him in our lives.

‘He had many interests and was always there with a smile and a cheeky sense of humor. He was good-natured and loyal.

‘While only 15 years old, the beautiful memories we have of him can never be forgotten.

‘We ask for privacy as a family so we can grieve and try to process this senseless tragedy together. 

‘We also request that as this is an active homicide investigation and a broken-hearted family and community, that you refrain from speculation and allow the police to do their job.’

His girlfriend, who he had been with for three years, joined his family at the scene today where they tearfully laid flowers for 

They said Liverpool fan Adam was ‘quiet and respectful’ and that they were all reeling over the death. 

A family member said: ‘He was very funny. Just a nice boy.’ 

The mother of his girlfriend, who both declined to give their names, said: ‘There are too many boys this age dying. It’s got worse and worse.

‘We don’t know why this happened. My daughter is trying to process it.

‘There are young people dying every day over silliness.’

Met Police detectives have since launched a murder investigation. Officers were called to reports of a stabbing on Westbourne Road in north London at 1pm on Tuesday.

The stabbing took place near St Mary Magdalene Academy, a school which teaches primary, secondary and sixth form-aged pupils in Islington. 

A former teacher at the school told Metro: ‘He was a lovely boy, we are all devastated. There have been friends of his crying at the scene. It’s such a waste of life.

‘He left the school in Year 8 he had his whole life ahead of him. He had three brothers, I feel for the family. So many kids go through the school that I know it’s very raw.’

A statement from St Mary Magdalene school said they felt Adam’s loss ‘deeply’. 

‘This young person started Year 7 at St Mary Magdalene Academy in 2021 before he left to go to the Bridge Satellite School in Year 8, where we understand he was currently a pupil,’ it said.

‘We feel the loss of his life deeply as a local community and our thoughts and prayers are very much with his parents and siblings.’

A woman who had laid flowers at the scene described Adam as ‘a sweet, beautiful boy’.

She said: ‘He was full of energy such a sweet and beautiful boy. I can’t believe he has gone.’

Another said: ‘He was polite and respectful, just a nice lad. Adam was not into gangs. He loved bikes, it’s madness.’

A local who knew the victim also described how Adam would ride his bike around the area and play football and ‘always had a smile on his face’.

He told Metro: ‘He was always smiling, he was just like a normal kid, you would see him playing football with his mates, he was a normal kid who didn’t give anyone a problem.

‘It’s so sad, I’ve no idea what it can all have been about and who someone would attack him.’

The boy was cornered and stabbed in Atlas Mews, just off Westbourne Road in Islington, north London.

A witness told Metro: ‘Police and paramedics pulled up the medics started working on the boy they were doing chest compressions but from their body language it looked like the worst was going to happen.

‘Before the police arrived there was some shouting and running in Atlas Mews where it happened.’

The road is cordoned off as forensics officers trawl for clues, while detectives look through CCTV and ring doorbell footage alongside carrying out door-to-door inquiries.

In 2020, a 22-year-old man – Imani Allaway-Muir – was shot dead at almost exactly the same spot on the Westbourne Estate in a case of mistaken identity. His killers have been jailed.

Dior, who lives near the crime scene, told Metro: ‘It makes us fearful, we don’t know whether it will be knives or guns or what things are getting very dangerous in the streets around here.

‘First Imani and now this boy, it’s tragic.’

The victim’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim at this incredibly sad and difficult time.

‘We understand this is incredibly concerning for the community, particularly considering the young age of the victim.

‘Officers are in the area carrying out urgent enquiries and cordons remain in place. 

‘I would urge anyone who saw the incident or has any information, to please get in touch with us, or do so anonymously through Crimestoppers

The leader of Islington Council, Una O’Halloran, has said the authority is ‘deeply shocked and saddened that a 15-year-old boy has died following a stabbing on Westbourne Road this afternoon’. 

She said: ‘At this extremely challenging time, our thoughts are with the family, friends and loved ones of the victim.

The Metropolitan Police have launched a murder investigation and we’ll be doing all we can to support them.

‘We know that this deeply concerning incident will have unsettled the local community, and we’ll be working to reassure them in the coming days.’ 

Anyone who has information that may help police with their investigation is asked to contact police on 101.