DETECTIVES investigating a Valentine’s Day murder have renewed their appeal for help.
Four years after Mark O’Connor, 30, was shot and left in a bath full of water in a West Hampstead flat, police insist they can still catch his killer.
Officers believe he was murdered in an “execution-style” killing during which a pillow was placed over him before he was shot in the back of the head.
Detective Chief Inspector Mick Broster said: “It is possible that in the four years since Mark’s death, loyalties and friendships among those involved in, or who knew about, his death will have changed.
“It is to these people we are appealing. They may have that vital piece of information that may lead to identifying a suspect and perhaps apprehending them.”
Mr O’Connor’s body was discovered on Valentine’s Day 2001 at a flat in Claire Court in Shoot-up Hill.
Also known as Peter Joyce, Mr O’Connor was living in Slough, Berks, and had told his girlfriend he had “business to attend to” shortly before disappearing.
He was known at the Shoot-Up Hill address but police have still not established his link with the flat.
A police statement said: “He was found clothed and lying in a bath full of water.
“We believe he was probably killed on February 11, 2001 and was put in the bath after the murder.”
DCI Broster said: “We also have a family that wish to know who killed their son and brother, and why they did it.”
In late February 2001, a 27-year-old woman was charged with perverting the course of justice and was later given a 12-month conditional discharge. Similar charges against a 49-year-old man were dropped.
Another suspect, a 36-year-old man, was charged with Mr O’Connor’s murder but pleaded not guilty and the case was dropped.