Claudyo Jauad Lafayette was 17 

THE family of a teenager who was knifed to death two years ago has spoken of the “ongoing night­mare” they are living due to the delays in bringing his killers to justice.

Claudyo Jauad Lafayette’s mother Yzakia said she had had enough of being told to be “patient” by officers investigating the case.

Five young men were arrested following the fatal attack in Granville Road, south Kilburn, on July 14, 2023, but all have been released and are no longer on bail.

Ms Jauad told the New Journal: “How many times can I hear, please just be patient?

“Imagine me telling you ‘I know who killed your son, we are going in the right direction, just be patient’.

“It is two years today – two years that I haven’t seen my son. It’s been the hardest two years of my life and it is ongoing.

“I’m in this big nightmare I can’t wake up from.

“I don’t know how long I can wait for this. I am not living, just existing. I don’t want this to be another case that they will put aside.”

Flowers were laid at Claudyo’s grave in Islington and St Pancras cemetery on Tuesday and also at a permanent memorial set up on the Ampthill estate near Mornington Crescent where he grew up.

Claudyo’s family came together at his grave this week

A table he helped recover during a woodwork course hours before he was killed remains in the Crowndale Centre.

His death has left a deep wound on a large community in and around Camden Town.

The New Journal reported last year how the investigation had been thwarted due to a “wall of silence” among a “close-knit community” in and around Carlton Vale and south Kilburn where the attack happened.

Claudyo was at a ticketed DJ event  with a “basketball jersey theme” in Carlton Vale.

Many people were there that night but key witnesses have not come forward.

Ms Jauad said: “We just need the finger pointed in the right direction. I need to make sure they don’t do this again. I need them charged.

“People are not talking. They are protecting their own.”

She added: “We have had loads of investigation meetings. It’s just been a meeting after another with them answering the same questions over and over again with the same answers.”

Family and friends at the Ampthill estate memorial 

Ms Jauad said she had been boosted by the number of friends and supporters who got in touch on the anniversary this week.

She added: “But it made me think how many people are out there suffering with mental health, suicidal thoughts, because of this?

“I want to make sure people don’t forget Claudyo because so many people connected to him have been struggling at some point.”

Yzakia and Nuno at the spot Claudyo died on last year’s anniversary  

On the first anniversary last July, the Met put out a special appeal with a £20,000 reward for significant information in the case and detectives dismissed any suggestion delays in bringing charges was because the force was stretched.

“If there are trust issues in the community, there are things we can do in relation to identity and anonymity regarding the information they provide,” one of the investigating detectives said.

“I’m sure there are people out there who have seen the incident.”

Claudyo’s stepfather Nuno said: “I’m not happy at all with this investigation.

“It has been two years, and still nothing. There are no updates.

“We know who these people are and we want them behind bars for a very long time. The meetings may be routine for the police, but it is not for us.”

Yzakia and Nuno

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who is leading the inquiry, said: “The investigation into Claudyo Lafayette’s death currently remains on-going.

“Despite extensive efforts by police, those responsible have not been identified and no further arrests have been made.

“We will continue our enquiries to get justice for Claudyo’s family.”