On August 26, 2024, Swedish chef Mussie Imnetu, 41, was discovered in a life-threatening condition near the Notting Hill Carnival grounds. The Eritrea-born culinary expert, who once worked with well-known chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing, and Alain Ducasse, was visiting London, England from Dubai. In Dubai, he was the lead chef at The Brasserie inside The Arts Club Dubai.
The Metropolitan Police reported that Imnetu was found unresponsive around 11:22 PM near the carnival area. He was provided immediate medical aid, but his condition worsened quickly. Imnetu was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he battled his severe injuries for four days before succumbing to them on August 30.
Imnetu’s untimely death was met with sorrow and shock from his colleagues and admirers. His employer, The Arts Club Dubai, mourned his departure, praising him as an outstanding chef whose affable demeanor added warmth to their kitchen. They highlighted his dedication to his craft, his ability to motivate fellow chefs, and his gentle and kind personality.
Beyond his culinary talents, Imnetu was recognized for his passion for soccer and for including his eight-year-old son in his culinary pursuits, often letting the boy taste-test his inventive recipes. His multifaceted personality and skills will be sorely missed by The Arts Club community.
The police are in the process of retracing Imnetu’s movements on the day of the incident. Surveillance footage shows him leaving The Arts Club in Mayfair just after 1 PM, dressed in a blue T-shirt and black jeans, and later buying a white baseball cap. As per the police, Imnetu reached Dr Power restaurant on Queensway, West London, at around 10:30 PM, less than an hour before he was found unconscious.
In relation to the incident, Omar Wilson, a 31-year-old charity worker and director, has been detained. Initially, he was charged with intentionally causing grievous bodily harm, but the charges were elevated to murder after Imnetu’s death.
Julian Winship, the prosecutor, informed the court during a hearing on September 10 that Wilson first headbutted Imnetu after an encounter near the carnival site. According to Winship, about 70 seconds after the original assault, Wilson proceeded to strike Imnetu on the head five times. Wilson allegedly continued to hit Imnetu even after he had fallen.
During the court hearing, the prosecutors revealed the severity of Imnetu’s injuries, describing them as “catastrophic brain injuries, including bleeds on the brain and multiple cardiac arrests.”
The reason behind the alleged assault remains uncertain, and the police are on the lookout for witnesses who might have information about Imnetu’s activities in the hours leading up to the incident.
Police have shared images of 16 potential witnesses they are interested in speaking to. Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie stated that their investigation has been progressing quickly, and clarified that the individuals in the images are not suspects. He suggested that they might have been participating in the post-carnival celebrations, and while they may not be locals, they could hold vital information for the investigation.
The incident, which occurred during the vibrant Notting Hill Carnival, has cast a pall over the normally festive event celebrating Caribbean culture in London. The festival’s organizers expressed their sympathy and promised full cooperation with the ongoing police investigation.
Wilson remains in custody. A plea and trial preparation hearing has been scheduled for November 25 at the Old Bailey court. A tentative trial date, expected to last two weeks, has been set for February 3, 2025.
