Images of nine people O2 Academy Brixton crush investigation

Detectives investigating the tragic incident at the O2 Academy Brixton, where 33-year-old Rebecca Ikumelo and 23-year-old Gaby Hutchinson lost their lives, have released images of people they would like to identify.

The event occurred twenty months ago, and a 22-year-old woman injured during the incident remains in serious condition in the hospital.

Rebecca and the injured woman were part of the crowd attending Nigerian artist Asake’s performance at the O2 Academy Brixton. Security guard Gaby was on duty when the tragedy unfolded. 

Recently, the families of Rebecca Ikumelo and Gaby Hutchinson gathered at New Scotland Yard to commemorate their loved ones and support a new police appeal for information

Rebecca’s father Anthony Ikumelo, said: “Rebecca was a caring loving person who cared for everyone in the community. This tragedy has left a large hole in our hearts that cannot be filled. We urge anyone who has information about what happened that night to come forward so that those responsible can be identified.”

Gaby’s sister Kelsey Hutchinson, said: “Our lives will never be what they used to be, we have gaps and it’s trying to find a new normal. Because we don’t have the answers, we’re still waiting for investigations to be completed, we’re still in a situation where we don’t know why. I think if we could get to that point, that might help us.

“No one should ever go to work and not come home.”

A team of detectives remain committed to establishing exactly what took place. Over the last 12 months, 100s of hours of CCTV have been meticulously examined, more than 500 witness statements have been taken and over 5,000 pieces of evidence have been seized.

DCI Penney said: “We remain focused on establishing exactly what happened that tragic evening, how Rebecca and Gaby came to lose their lives and why a young woman remains in hospital in a very serious condition a year later.

“I am grateful to those who have already helped by either speaking to police, sharing footage or providing us with valuable advice in terms of our investigation and the impact of this tragic event on people in Lambeth and beyond.

“We owe it to the families who have been left heartbroken and with many unanswered questions to establish the truth about what happened to their loved ones, and continue to follow the evidence where it takes us – without fear or favour.

“There were thousands of people at the venue that evening, and today I am releasing images of people I would like to speak to as I believe they have vital information. I urge them to get in touch as soon as possible.

“I would again ask that if you were at the Asake concert at the 02 Academy Brixton on 15 December 2022, and you were filming – we know from CCTV that many people were – please come forward and share that footage with the investigation, please help the heartbroken families get the answers they need.”

How people with information can get in touch:

Upload footage here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS22U62-PO1. You will be able to upload information and video content to this portal to assist the investigation.

Call the investigating team on 020 7321 9425.

To remain 100% anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.