Notting Hill Carnival: murder inquiry launched after Rapper Takayo Nembhard stabbing

Victim was taken out through 'significant crowds' by police

Performers and revellers dance in the street during the Notting Hill Carnival in London on Monday. Getty

A man who died after being stabbed at the Notting Hill Carnival in London has been named as rapper and father-to-be Takayo Nembhard.

Nembhard, 21, from Bristol in west England, who was also known as TKorStretch, was visiting the festival with his sister and friends, his manager Chris Patrick said on Tuesday.

“Two years ago a 19 year-old man came from Bristol to meet me at my studio with his dad. His name was Takayo Nembhard aka TKorStretch,” Mr Patrick wrote on Instagram.

“That meeting took us on a journey … we recorded some great music together. His talent was endless, and I can tell you guys he was close to greatness.

“So, it’s with a heavy heart that I bring the news that Takayo (TKorStretch) passed away last night. He came from Bristol to simply have a good time at the London carnival and this is the result.

“My deepest condolences to TK’s mother and father, his brother, two sisters, girlfriend and child who will never meet his father.”

He said Nembhard was a “good kid, a good guy and what has happened breaks my heart”.

“Rest in peace my friend,” he said.

One of Nembhard's songs was played more than 300,000 times on Spotify and he had nearly 11,000 monthly listeners.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the incident in Ladbroke Grove, West London, at about 8pm on Monday.

Hundreds of people were in the area when it took place, police said, and Nembhard was taken out through “significant crowds” by officers.

They gave him first aid until paramedics arrived, but he was pronounced dead at a West London hospital.

“Officers from across the Met have been working tirelessly over the past two days to ensure that all those who came to Notting Hill Carnival could enjoy the experience safely,” Dr Alison Heydari, Commander of Local Policing at the Met, said on Tuesday.

“It was the culmination of months of close co-ordination with the organisers, our local authority and emergency service partners and the community.

“The atmosphere over the past two days has been largely positive and good natured, as the carnival should be.

“Regrettably, on Monday evening we saw a number of violent incidents and a 21-year-old man has lost his life.

“Our thoughts are with his family as they come to terms with their terrible loss.”

Comm Heydari urged anyone with information about the fatal stabbing at the annual Caribbean festival event, which began in 1966, to come forward.

Police said there were seven reported stabbings on Monday evening, six of which resulted in non-fatal injuries.

In total, 209 arrests were made during the event, including 46 for assault, 36 for possession of drugs, and 33 for possession of an offensive weapon. There were also 27 public order offences.

In total, 441 people were stopped and searched and more than 70 officers were injured over the two days.

On Sunday, one of the force’s most experienced and “affectionate” horses died while on duty at the festival.

Sandown, a 14-year-old chestnut gelding, had policed “all types of events” across London after being presented to the force in 2015.

There was a birth in Ladbroke Grove on Sunday evening, although it was not known if the mother was visiting the festival or a resident.

The carnival returned on Saturday for the first time since 2019, after a break caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Millions were expected to attend the event, which ended on Monday.