Mussie Imnetu, 41, was found unconscious near the Notting Hill Carnival on August 26, 2024, suffering from a severe head injury. The Swedish chef, born in Eritrea, who had previously worked under renowned culinary figures like Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing, and Alain Ducasse, was visiting London, England from Dubai, where he held the position of head chef at The Brasserie in The Arts Club Dubai.
According to the Metropolitan Police, Imnetu was discovered unresponsive around 11:22 PM near the festival grounds. Despite immediate medical attention at the scene, his condition rapidly deteriorated. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he fought for his life for four days before dying from his injuries on August 30.
Many of Imnetu’s colleagues and admirers expressed their grief and disbelief. The Arts Club Dubai mourned his loss, describing him as an exceptional chef whose warm presence brightened their kitchen. They emphasized his culinary passion, ability to inspire colleagues, and calm, kind demeanor. Beyond his professional skills, Imnetu was known for his love of soccer and for involving his young son in his work, often having the eight-year-old taste-test his innovative dishes. The Arts Club community will deeply miss his multifaceted personality and talents.
Investigators have been piecing together Imnetu’s final hours, releasing CCTV footage that shows him leaving The Arts Club in Mayfair shortly after 1 PM on the day of the incident. He was seen wearing a blue T-shirt and black jeans, later purchasing a white baseball cap. Police reports indicate that Imnetu arrived at Dr Power restaurant on Queensway, West London, at approximately 10:30 PM, less than an hour before he was found unconscious.
Omar Wilson, a 31-year-old charity worker and director, was arrested in connection with the incident. Initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, the charges were upgraded to murder following Imnetu’s death.
Julian Winship, serving as the prosecutor, informed the court during a hearing on September 10 that Wilson initially headbutted Mr. Imnetu following an interaction between the two near the carnival area. Winship added that approximately 70 seconds after this initial assault, Wilson proceeded to punch Mr. Imnetu in the head five times. The prosecutor said that Wilson continued to strike Mr. Imnetu’s head even after the victim had fallen to the ground.
During the court proceedings, prosecutors revealed the extent of Imnetu’s injuries, describing them as “catastrophic brain injuries, including bleeds on the brain and multiple cardiac arrests.”
The motive behind the alleged attack remains unclear, and police are actively seeking witnesses who may have information about Imnetu’s activities in the hours leading up to the incident.
The police have released images of 16 potential witnesses they are eager to interview. Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie stated that their investigation has been moving forward rapidly and emphasized that the people in these images are not suspected of wrongdoing. He suggested that these individuals might have been participating in post-carnival festivities and may not be local, but they could possess crucial information for the investigation.
The timing of the incident, coinciding with the vibrant Notting Hill Carnival, has cast a shadow over what is usually a joyous celebration of Caribbean culture in London. Festival organizers expressed their condolences and pledged to cooperate fully with the ongoing police investigation.
Wilson has been remanded in custody. A plea and trial preparation hearing is scheduled for November 25 at the Old Bailey court. A provisional trial date, expected to last two weeks, has been set for February 3, 2025.