BOXING DAY MURDERS: Two men killed in separate incidents in London and North Yorkshire

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a man in Hackney on Boxing Day have released an image of a man they want to locate.

Jurejs Vankovs, 38, (above) is sought for the murder of 49-year-old Michael Murphy who died after being stabbed in Cranwood Street at approximately 3:10am on Tuesday, 26 December.

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command leads the investigation and said: “We have been working tirelessly to locate Jurejs Vankovs but have yet to find him. We are now asking for the public’s help to locate him.

“From what we understand, Vankovs and Michael were known to each other and both lived a transient lifestyle in the local area. I would ask people in the Shoreditch and wider Hackney area to keep a lookout for him. If you see Vankovs, please do not approach him but call 999 immediately.”

An investigation was launched after Michael was stabbed in the early hours of Boxing Day.

His next of kin have been informed and continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said:

“The support of the Hackney community is vital in assisting us to find Jurejs Vankovs. We continue to work closely with our local partners to track him down but I would urge anyone who sees Vankovs, or knows of his whereabouts, to get in contact immediately.”

For an immediate sighting of Jurejs Vankovs, do not approach him but dial 999 immediately. If you have any other information about this whereabouts, or that could assist the investigation, please call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD669/26Dec.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Mr Murphy's family continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said:

“We are continuing to piece together the events that led to Michael sustaining his injuries and would appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything in the Cranwood Street area on Boxing Day morning to come forward.

“Our initial enquiries have confirmed they was an argument in the street in the moments prior to Michael being stabbed involving a group of up to ten people which local residents may have heard.

“Work is ongoing to identify those involved and I would ask anyone who can help us to do this to get in touch.”

Mr Conway added: “Our thoughts are with Michael’s family at this unimaginably difficult time. That this tragedy occurred over the Christmas period will be shocking to many and I reiterate DCI Allen’s appeal for witnesses who were in the area to come forwards.

“Specialist detectives, supported by local officers from Hackney, have been at the scene since this incident carrying out vital evidence-gathering work. Their presence has caused disruption to residents in the area and I would like to thank everyone for their patience and support while this work is carried out.

“Local officers will continue to patrol in around the area; if you have concerns please speak to them or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team.”

Four people – two men aged 49 and 42 and two women aged 35 and 44 – were arrested on suspicion of murder; they have since been released with no further action.

In a separate incident in the north of the country, a man was arrested on suspicion of murder and later charged after an incident in the early hours of Boxing Day.

The victim, Luke Miller, 23, (above) was pronounced dead on Tuesday morning shortly after police and paramedics arrived at Rosemary Court in Tadcaster.

Police said they believed it was an isolated incident and asked the public not to speculate about what happened.

A forensic tent was erected outside a branch of Costcutter, where Rosemary Court meets Commercial Street. A cordon was in place and members of the public were urged to avoid the area.

A police spokesperson said: “The area surrounding the scene is currently closed while our officers and specialist teams carry out inquiries and the initial investigation. North Yorkshire fire and rescue service are also supporting officers at the scene with specialist screening equipment to allow a thorough investigation to take place.”

They added: “At 7.20am our force control room received a call from our colleagues at Yorkshire ambulance service who had been called to Rosemary Court in the town. A person was reporting a man with serious injuries at the location.

“Officers and paramedics attended the scene and, a short time later, a man in his 20s was sadly pronounced dead. His next of kin has been informed. Although the investigation is in the early stages, we believe this is an isolated incident.

“We are asking people to refrain from speculating around the death of the man and to respect the privacy of his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

Today (Friday December 29) Taylor Fenwick, 22, appeared at Leeds Crown Court charged with Mr Miller's murder.

No plea was entered and Mr Fenwick, of Rosemary Court in Tadcaster, was not required to speak during the brief hearing.

The defendant was told he would have to return to court for a further hearing on 25 January, at which he is expected to make a plea, and that he would remain in custody.