Greater Manchester Police are offering up a £50k reward for anyone who has information that leads to the conviction of the person who killed Kennie Carter.
The 16-year-old was stabbed in the chest on Thirlmere Avenue in Stretford on 22 January 2022, and died shortly afterwards in hospital.
He was described by his family as a ‘cheeky chappy’, as they pleaded for witnesses to come forward and bring his killer to justice.
Police are now offering a monetary reward to encourage people come forward with key information, urging ‘please do the right thing’.
12 teenagers – aged between 13 and 18 – have been arrested on suspicion of murder, but all have been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.
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Detective Chief Inspector Alicia Smith, from GMP’s Major Investigation Team, said: “The thoughts of everyone in the investigation team remain with Kennie’s loved ones at this time. They have lived though one year without Kennie and are desperate for answers and I hope you will think of them today.
“This is a long and meticulous investigation, through which we have spoken to over 100 people, reviewed over 100 hours of CCTV and carried out dozens of warrants. We have also arrested all of the people that we wanted to speak to in connection with this incident.
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“I believe we are close to getting justice for Kennie and I am confident that there is someone out there who holds key information about this case who has not yet made themselves known to us. Please don’t assume that we already know the information you hold. What you know could be the last piece that we need.
“I understand you might be scared but I would like to stress that murder investigations are never closed. We will never stop seeking the truth and we will not stop until Kennie’s killers are safely behind bars.
“Please do the right thing – clear your conscience, come forwards and tell us what you know. I would like to thank those members of the public who have already come forwards and shared information.
“Anyone can contact us with information – no matter how insignificant it may seem – on 0161 856 9908 or 101 quoting incident 2529 of 22/01/2022. Any footage or images from the night should be submitted to our online portal here.”
Sergeant Marc Foster of GMP Stretford said: “The local community remain devastated by the death of Kennie Carter. We are continuing to support the family and are working closely with the community, providing high visibility patrols in the area. Our community has come together united against knife crime, and we will continue to support them and the investigation team to secure justice for Kennie.
“I would like to thank members of the public who have already provided us with key information. However, I would now like to address those who have not yet come forwards.
“There are people out there who know what happened that evening. Please check your conscience and do the right thing.
“It was a cowardly attack on a young teenager with his whole life in front of him.
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“The investigation is live and we are responding to any new information given. Please don’t assume we already know the information you hold. Tell us again anyway, because it might be the key to securing a charge and conviction for those responsible.”
Anyone with the following insight or information should provide a statement to GMP:
If you witnessed Kennie Carter’s murder
If you have heard key information first hand
If you have footage or images from that night
Kennie’s family said in a tribute shortly after his death: “Kennie was our youngest, our baby, our cheeky chappy with baby blue eyes. His death has left a massive hole in our lives and our family has been destroyed. We will never have the opportunity to see him growing up and having a family of his own.
“Each day when we wake the house feels empty; we can’t hear his footsteps, his voice or his music. We cannot believe how generous people have been, even people that don’t know us or Kennie directly.
“We want to ask the community to provide as much information as they can to the police so that the person responsible is brought to justice. Young lives like Kennie’s are being lost far too often and this has to stop.”
Featured image: GMP
News
Zayn Malik shares moving tribute to One Direction bandmate Liam Payne
Daisy Jackson
Zayn Malik of One Direction fame has now shared a touching tribute to his bandmate Liam Payne following the star’s death in Argentina.
Zayn has released a statement addressed directly to Liam, addressing the impact he had on his life.
In the touching statement, Zayn thanked Liam for helping him through ‘some of the most difficult times in my life’.
He added – echoing an earlier statement from Louis Tomlinson – that Liam was the ‘most qualified in every sense’ member of hit boyband One Direction.
Zayn also acknowledged that he sometimes ‘butted heads’ with the late singer, he always respected him.
Zayn Malik wrote: “Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.
“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
“When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.
“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no fucks about telling people when they were wrong.
“Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.
“When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
“I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.
“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are.
One Direction star Louis Tomlinson shares heartbreaking tribute to bandmate and ‘brother’ Liam Payne
Daisy Jackson
Louis Tomlinson has become the first member of One Direction to post his own tribute to Liam Payne following the star’s sudden death yesterday.
The beloved boyband released a joint statement signed by all four surviving members – Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis – earlier this evening.
But now Louis Tomlinson has issued his own, utterly heartbreaking tribute.
In it, he described Liam as a ‘brother’ and explained that he felt he had been the ‘most vital part’ of One Direction.
Louis wrote that he would have ‘loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be’.
In a particularly moving statement, he added that he would step in to be the ‘uncle’ needed by Liam’s seven-year-old son, Bear.
Liam Payne was found dead in Argentina yesterday after reportedly falling from a third floor window of a hotel.
In tribute to Liam, former bandmate and friend Louis Tomlinson shared: “I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother.
“Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.
“Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.
“And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.
“A message to you Liam if you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life.
“I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.
“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
“I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.
“Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X”