Disappearance of man in west London now being treated as murder, police say

The father-to-be has not been seen since May 7
Metropolitan Police
Megan White7 August 2019
WEST END FINAL

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Police are now treating the disappearance of a young man as murder, three months after he went missing.

Mohammed Shah Subhani, 27, a father-to-be who is known as Shah Khan, vanished from his Hounslow home on May 7.

His white Audi Q3 was found in Camden more than a month later, on June 19, bearing false number plates, following a police chase.

Scotland Yard said officers were called to reports of a group of men inside a vehicle, allegedly carrying weapons, being involved in an argument with another group.

Officers pursued the white Audi before it crashed into another vehicle.

The three occupants abandoned the car and fled on foot.

Police then carried out a full forensic investigation and discovered evidence of damage from gunshots found within the car.

Scotland Yard said this played a “major factor” in their decision to launch a murder probe.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh from Specialist Crime, said: “On Monday, I had to break the tragic news to his family that Shah’s disappearance is now a murder inquiry.

“The fact that Shah has been missing for so long, and all proof of life have been negative, is a major factor in our decision.

“However, as well as Shah being missing, we also have evidence from his white Audi Q3, which we recovered in Camden.

“Inside this car we found evidence of ballistic damage and everything now indicates that Shah has been unlawfully killed."

He added that a reward was being offered.

“This news is obviously a tragic blow to Shah’s family and has left them distraught. What adds to their anguish is not knowing what has happened to Shah and we continue to appeal for anyone with information to contact police," he said.

“A £20,000 Met reward is being offered, both for information leading to the whereabouts of Shah and also information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of anyone connected with his murder.”

Four men have been arrested in connection with the investigation.

A 23-year-old-man was arrested on July 2 on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and has been released under investigation.

Two men were arrested on July 8 on suspicion of murder, kidnap or abduction and perverting the course of justice.

A 22-year-old has been bailed to return to police on a date in early August, while the other man, 25, has now been released under investigation.

A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, kidnap and perverting the course of justice on July 31, but was subsequently released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Officers, armed with a search warrant, also carried out the search of a premises in Brentford on July 5.

Any witnesses to the incident on Robert Street in Camden, or anyone with any information about Shah’s whereabouts is asked to call police on 101, or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote Operation Rockton.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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