A family has suffered “unthinkable grief” after a “much loved” man was stabbed to death 28 years after his sister was also fatally knifed in London.
Peter Petrou, 37, was fatally wounded during a fight outside a McDonald’s restaurant last Thursday night.
He was rushed to hospital, but pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Police are appealing for witnesses, but there have been no arrests.
Peter’s sister Tracy Meade was just 14 when her body was found in the Grand Union Canal near Kensal Rise in north west London in January 1992.
She had been stabbed in the stomach and arm with a small kitchen knife.
Although there was no evidence of a sexual assault, bruising on her body led police to believe that there was a sexual motivation behind her death.
A Coroner ruled that Tracy had drowned after being stabbed and recorded a verdict of ‘Unlawful Killing.’
However, despite a televised appeal at the time on the BBC’s Crimewatch, Tracy’s murder has never been solved.
Peter’s devastated sister, Emma, described him as the “life and soul of everything.”
She said: “This is the second murder we as a family have had to suffer.
“Our sister, Tracy Meade, was also murdered in 1992 and still no one has been convicted.
“As a family we are deeply devastated and cannot begin to imagine how we are going to cope with this type of tragedy again especially if the perpetrator is not caught.”
She added: “Peter was much loved by his large family and many friends. He was the life and soul of everything and the void he has left will be hard to fill.”
Police were called just before 10.30pm last Thusday night to reports of a stabbing in Kilburn.
Peter was taken to a central London hospital but was pronounced dead just before 11pm. A post-mortem examination is due to be held tomorrow (TUES).
Detectives believe believed Peter was involved in a fight with another man outside McDonalds in Kilburn High Road.
The suspect made off before police arrived. He is described as having dark skin and was about 6ft, aged in his late teens to early 20s and of athletic build. He was dressed in all dark clothing.
Detective Inspector Darren Jones, who is leading the murder inquiry, said: “This senseless killing has left Peter’s family facing unthinkable grief.
“They are going through hell and my team and I are conducting extensive enquiries into what happened.
“We are determined to bring those responsible before a court to face justice.”
He added: “I am asking anyone who knows anything, or has heard anything, about this killing to try and think how they would feel in Peter’s family’s shoes. No family deserves to go through what they are right now.
“If you don’t want to speak to police, please call Crimestoppers anonymously. Your information could help us.”
