A NEW suspect has been identified in the murder of Stephen Lawrence.
Matthew White, now deceased, has been linked to the death of Stephen, which took place on April 22, 1993.
Who was Matthew White?
The BBC reported that Mathew White has been identified as a new suspect in the tragic killing that shocked the nation.
According to the report, White was convicted of assault on a black shop worker in an incident only a few hundred metres from where Stephen was killed.
He was a drug user during the time of Stephen's murder in 1993.
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Little is known about White except that he worked in a few odd jobs as a gardener and scaffolder, later becoming a heroin addict.
He had served time in prison and had a record of theft offences.
White died in 2021, aged 50, and his cause of death is unknown.
What has Matthew White been accused of?
White has been accused of being involved in the death of Stephen in Eltham, London, on April 22, 1993.
He is the sixth suspect in the shocking racist attack alongside Gary Dobson, David Norris, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt and Luke Knight.
White was initially brought to police attention in May 1993 after informing them that he had visited the home of two other suspects on the night of Lawrence's death.
Despite the ongoing rumours of White’s involvement in the gang attack, he was never called to give evidence.
After naming White as a new suspect, the Metropolitan Police have apologised stating “too many mistakes” were made in the investigation.
What has Doreen Lawrence said about the new suspect?
Baroness Doreen Lawrence has demanded officers be sacked for failing to properly investigate White at the time of her son's death.
Stephen's mum said: “The latest revelation that a key suspect in the murder could have, and should have, been properly and thoroughly investigated is shocking but unsurprising.
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"I have got used to the litany of failings in my son’s case.”
Baroness Lawrence said in a statement there should be “serious sanctions” against the investigating officers.
She added: “Only when police officers lose their jobs can the public have confidence that failure and incompetence will not be tolerated and that change will happen.”
How did Stephen Lawrence die?
Stephen was waiting for a bus on Well Hall Road, Eltham, on April 22, 1993, when he was approached by a group of six white men who began using racial slurs.
The group quickly “engulfed” Lawrence and he was forced to the ground.
He was stabbed on both sides of his body, penetrating his lung as the attackers fled the scene.
He attempted to stand up after the attack but collapsed due to his wounds.
Stephen died from his injuries at just 18 years old.
