A “popular and able” student from the University of Greenwich was murdered close to Penge East railway station on Saturday night.
Samuel Guidera, 24, died from a knife wound after being found in the street at the junction of Bailey Place and Newlands Park, SE26. Police believe Samuel may have been the victim of a robbery as he made his way from the railway station to a bus stop in Newlands Park.
Samuel was studying history and politics at the University of Greenwich’s Greenwich campus.
A statement on behalf of his family reads,
“Samuel was a hard working man, who was passionate about his studies. He was also very family orientated. We are devastated and cannot understand why this has happened. We would appeal to anyone who has information about our son to contact the police.”
A spokesperson for the University of Greenwich commented:
“Everyone at the University of Greenwich will be shocked and saddened by this terrible news. Samuel was a first year History student at the University of Greenwich. He was part of the university’s School of Humanities & Social Sciences, based on the Greenwich Campus.
“Samuel was a popular and able student who had made excellent progress in his studies, achieving very good grades. He earned the respect and affection of his tutors and fellow students and will be sadly missed by those who taught and knew him.”
An incident room has opened under the Homicide and Serious Crime Command
Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane, said:
“Mr Guidera had spent the day watching football with friends. He travelled on the 21:17 train from Bickley to Penge East. We are keen to speak with anyone who remembers seeing him either on the train or getting off just after 21:30.
“Mr Guidera, who was carrying a pink T-mobile carrier bag, crossed the footbridge over the railway to the Newlands Park exit en route to meet a friend. He went into the local convenience store before walking towards the bus stop on Newlands Park where he was attacked. We are considering a number of possibilities, but believe this may have been a robbery. There would have been a number of people in the area and we are keen to speak with them.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 020 8721 4205 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.