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Duncan MacRae: killed by a single stab wound to the chest |
‘Harmless knife victim didn’t deserve to die’
Police searching for unnamed French-Algerian in his 20s
THE neighbour of a man murdered outside his front door has told of his shock at the killing, and how the victim was a “harmless guy who wouldn’t hurt a fly”.
Duncan MacRae, 55, was stabbed once through the heart with a seven-inch blade in the corridor of the block he had called home since 1987.
Police were called to the five-flat Victorian terraced house in Caledonian Road, run by Circle 33 for vulnerable older people, shortly before 6.30pm last Thursday.
Detectives are searching for a French-Algerian man in his 20s who had spent some time staying in Mr MacRae’s flat. They know his identity but are refusing to name him.
A 55-year-old man arrested at the scene and later bailed to return to police is due to be reinterviewed today (Friday). The Tribune understands police are not treating him as the prime suspect.
Neighbour, retired bus conductor Derek Cox, 67, said he was home at the time of the murder.
He said: “I couldn’t make out what was going on but I didn’t open the door. I thought someone’s having an argument and I didn’t want to get involved. I heard ‘No, no no’ and then it went quiet. I didn’t think any more of it until the ambulance came and I saw it was Duncan. He was lying on the floor with his legs up. A policewoman told me he was dead.”
In the days after the killing Mr Cox and three other tenants were moved out while police searched the property.
On Wednesday spots of blood were still clearly evident on the walls of the corridor along with forensic measuring tape, a pair of Mr MacRae’s discarded shoes and a police evidence bag.
Tests are being undertaken on a knife recovered at the scene.
At an inquest, opened at St Pancras Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, officers confirmed Mr MacRae died from a single stab wound to the chest which severed a large heart vessel.
Mr Cox, who lived in the flat below Mr MacRae for 20 years, paid tribute to him as a “kind, thoughtful and helpful” man who would regularly take pity on “waifs and strays” and take them into his home.
Mr Cox said it was Mr MacRae’s willingness to help those worse off than himself that might have got him killed.
“What this is about I don’t know but I think someone tried to take advantage of him and he said no.”
He remembered the victim, thought to be from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, as an “quiet, intelligent and methodical man” who did his own shopping, liked classical music and nights in watching the television.
Although a heroin addict for most of his adult life, Mr MacRae had only been taking methadone and other prescription drugs recently as he battled his addiction, said Mr Cox.
“The guy was inoffensive, he never got into a fight, he would never retaliate. Nobody complained about him,” he added.
Police have launched an appeal for information about Mr MacRae’s family, in particular two brothers thought to live in the Netherlands and Scotland.
Detective Inspector Mark Lawson said: “What we understand is that this would appear to have been a minor argument over drugs that suddenly spiralled out of control with tragic consequences.
“Although Mr MacRae was a heroin user, he didn’t fit the profile of your normal addict who struggles to support his habit. He had no criminal record and was never in trouble with the police.
“Mr MacRae did nothing to provoke the suspect.
“The nature of the argument didn’t warrant the level of violence used against Mr MacRae. He didn’t deserve to die. It’s a very tragic case.”
DI Lawson appealed for any witness to come forward. Anyone with information can contact the incident room on 020 8358 0200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. |
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