Thirty-seven-year-old Errol McKenzie was a well-liked figure in Leyton, London, England, where he lived and worked as a repairman specializing in fixing cable boxes and electrical equipment—earning him his local nicknames “Cable Guy” or “Cable Man.” Described by his family as friendly, kind, caring, and very loving, Errol was always ready to help those in need. He was a devoted father figure to his extended family, including his daughter Nicole Bent and nephew Ty McKenzie, who have spoken publicly about his good character and the profound impact of his loss. Errol’s life was rooted in east London, with connections to areas like Walthamstow and Tottenham, where he had spent time on the evening of his death.
The events leading to Errol’s death unfolded over a few hours on the evening of April 10th and into the early hours of April 11th, 2010. According to police reconstructions, Errol left Tottenham at around ten forty-five p.m., heading toward Leyton. He visited the Lea Bridge Road area in Walthamstow and likely stopped in Northumberland Park.
At eleven fifteen p.m., CCTV footage captured Errol buying alcohol and food from a convenience store on Lea Bridge Road. This was the last confirmed sighting of him alive before the attack.
At around midnight, Errol arrived at Seymour Road playing fields, a short distance from his home. He sat on a bench to eat his takeaway and drink the alcohol he had purchased. Police believe he was in the park for at least half an hour before the shooting.
At approximately twelve thirty a.m., Errol was shot three times at close range. The attack appeared targeted but without an obvious motive. Items found beside his body included a white takeaway carton, the alcohol, and a carrier bag containing two cable boxes—suggesting he had no time to react or flee.
Paramedics were called to the scene, but Errol was pronounced dead there from a fatal gunshot wound to the chest, as confirmed by a post-mortem examination. The method of his travel to the park remains unclear, adding to the mystery.
The Metropolitan Police launched an immediate investigation into Errol’s murder, dubbed Operation Trocha. From the outset, detectives noted the lack of an apparent motive, describing McKenzie as a “completely innocent victim.” No weapons were recovered, and initial leads focused on tracing Errol’s movements and potential witnesses.
His family has emphasized that he had no known enemies or involvement in criminal activities. “He was very loving and a father to his family,” Nicole Bent said in a 2022 appeal, highlighting the difficulty in comprehending why anyone would target him.
On the first anniversary of the crime in 2011, police released CCTV footage showing two males on bicycles in and around the playing fields late on April 10th and early on April 11th. These individuals were sought as potential witnesses, but they were never traced. A £20,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Detective Inspector Lucy Kilgour, leading the probe at the time, appealed for anyone who recognized the cyclists or had seen unusual activity in the park to come forward.
Four years later, with the case still unsolved, detectives renewed their appeal, again offering a £20,000 reward. Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams urged witnesses to recall McKenzie’s journey that night, questioning whether he was meeting someone in the park.
On April 11th, 2022, police again issued a fresh appeal, releasing three new CCTV images: a group of males walking in Lea Bridge Road the night before the murder and two males on pedal cycles. The £20,000 reward was reinstated. DCI Whellams expressed optimism that shifting allegiances over time might prompt new information, stating there is “always hope” for a breakthrough. Despite these efforts, no arrests have been made, and the individuals in the footage remain unidentified.
As of 2025, there have been no publicly reported advancements since the 2022 appeal, and the seemingly motiveless murder of Errol McKenzie is still unsolved.
Crime Immemorial 