New Cross double murder

The New Cross double murder involved the murder of two French research students, Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez, in Sterling Gardens, New Cross in London, United Kingdom. The victims were apparently playing computer games when attacked, bound and stabbed more than 240 times.

The murder

The victims were bound, gagged, and tortured over several hours, and stabbed 196 and 47 times, respectively. The bodies were discovered by firefighters in an apartment, rented by Laurent Bonomo, at Sterling Gardens, New Cross, on June 29. Greenwich mortuary autopsy showed both died from wounds to the head, neck and chest before the fire took hold. A petrol-like accelerant was poured upon their bodies, apparently to destroy evidence.

Victims

Both victims were biochemistry students and in their third year of a masters degree at Polytech Clermont-Ferrand university in France, on a three-month DNA research project exchange programme at London's Imperial College. Bonomo is from Velaux, France, and Ferez from Prouzel, a few miles from Amiens.

Investigation

It was established that the victims' bank cards and two Sony PSP games consoles were missing and it is believed they were taken during the incident. Prior to the events, on 23 June 2008, the same flat in Sterling Gardens, which Laurent Bonomo was renting, was burgled and a laptop was stolen.

The Metropolitan Police announced on July 5, 2008, the arrest of a 21-year-old man, who was later released on the afternoon of July 6 without further action.

E-fit

Police on July 6, 2008 issued an artist’s impression or the E-fit of the so-called (Quentin) Tarantino murders' possible main suspect, running away from Sterling Gardens just after 22:00 BST. He was described as "white, 30 to 40 years of age, of slight or slim build and wearing light coloured baseball cap, dark top, blue jeans and white trainers".

Ferez's parents Francoise and Olivier, of Prouzel, appealed: "Please help us to reveal the truth. Help us to know, to understand and to come to terms with our loss." They also stated: "Rest assured that we will not leave you in peace; and you will not be able to live in hiding forever." DCI Mick Duthie stated: "I also want to reiterate an appeal for anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious throughout that day, last Sunday, June 29th. Just to repeat what we know: Laurent spoke to his fiancee around 01:00 BST on the Sunday morning. After that, no-one heard from Laurent or Gabriel or saw them. It is important to stress that the attack could have taken place at any time during Sunday."

Meanwhile, Bonomo's fiancée Mary Bertez, emotionally wrote on Facebook: "My love – I have loved you, I love you and I will love you all of my life." Bertez posted their pictures thereat before the murder.

Second arrest and charge

Police held in custody 33-year-old Nigel Edward Farmer who handed himself in to police at Lewisham police station. He was later taken to hospital for treatment of injuries.

The thin 33-year-old man whose face and hands were badly burned had walked into Lewisham police station, apparently to confess as the killer. But he was told to wait in line at the reception by a civilian worker for 5 minutes. He said: "I've got third degree f***ing burns and they are not doing anything about it'." He was released from hospital and has been interviewed in custody by the police. Meanwhile, 600 students, on July 7 demonstrated against their murders in Clermont Ferrand, France. The group led by Mayor Serge Godart, included teachers, local residents and children that carried a huge banner "Pour Lolo et Gab" ("For Lolo and Gab"), "From all the corners of the world, the second-year biological students think of you and those close to you."

Inquest

A Greenwich Magistrates' Court's judge, on the afternoon of July 8, granted London's Metropolitan Police's request for extension of investigation, by issuing a 36 hours "warrant of further detention." Accordingly, Southwark Coroner's Court's Doreen Lawrence adjourned the coroner's inquest for 28 days pending police inquiries.

Court appearance and other arrests

On July 10, Nigel Edward Farmer [4], 33, unemployed and without fixed address, was charged with double murder, arson and attempting to pervert the course of justice when he appeared before Greenwich Magistrates Court. Bench chairman Phil Rogers ordered his remand in custody until October 16 for his appearance at the Old Bailey. Wearing a white sweatshirt , a tracksuit top with rolled up sleeves and white tracksuit bottoms, and his head shaved, he stood in the dock with 2 security guards. No application for bail was filed.

Scotland Yard said that the police also arrested at 5:20 pm (1620 GMT), a 35-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, who were questioned after detention at an address in Streatham, and taken to a South London police station.

On Friday, 11 July, 2008, it was reported by ITN that another man had been arrested in connection with the murders. Armed cops arrested 6 feet 3 inches Daniel "Dano" Sonnex, 23, in Peckham, south-east London, after Scotland Yard issued an alert to trace him. Described as "extremely dangerous" he was detained and investigated after his brother, Bernard, 35 and a woman, 25, handed themselves to the police. Dano had been previously detained regarding serious, violent incidents. His parents, Kathleen and Bernard, both 55, live in a terrace house in New Cross. Armed officers raided the brothers' council house in Deptford, South East London.

Daniel Sonnex, 23, from Peckham, on July 12, 2008, was charged with murder and perverting the course of justice. He will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on July 14. Sonnex's brother, Bernard, 35, and a woman, aged 25, had been released on bail, to return on July and August, respectively, pending further investigation. Police were also granted more time to question a man of 23 on the murders.