Police appeal to Turkish community for help following murder (From Haringey Independent)

Police appeal to Turkish community for help following murder

8:47am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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Police are appealling to the Turkish community for help following the murder of a man in his Wood Green home.

Kemal Ozdemir, a father of two, was battered to death with a blunt instrument and his body was left undiscovered for up to seven days.

Police forced entry to the first-floor flat in Gladstone Avenue at around 11.15pm on May 2 after neighbours grew concerned that the occupier had not been seen for some time.

Inside, officers found the body of a 42-year-old man who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem carried out at Hornsey Mortuary on May 4 gave the cause of death as multiple traumas by a blunt instrument to his chest, neck and head.

Police said the body could have been there for up to a week.

It is believed Mr Ozdemir had two sons, aged 12 and nine, who did not live with him.

The last known sighting of Mr Ozdemir was on April 26 when he was seen walking in Wood Green High Road at around 7.30pm.

Detective Inspector John Sandlin from the homicide and serious crime command, based in Barking, said: "We are now appealing to anyone who may have seen him since. "We would like to extend our appeals to the Turkish community - we understand that Kemal would often visit local Turkish coffee shops in the West Green Road, Turnpike Lane and Wood Green areas.

"Did you see him out walking or talking to anyone prior to his death? Did you see or hear anything suspicious in or around the area of Gladstone Avenue? "Did you see anyone entering or leaving Kemal's address on the weekend of the April 26? We urge anyone with information to call us. All calls will be confidential and Turkish speaking officers are on hand to speak to you if you do not feel comfortable when speaking in English."

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with any information should call the incident room on 020 8345 3715 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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