Girlfriend of rapper murdered at carnival felt their unborn baby kick

Pregnant girlfriend of rapper, 21, murdered at Notting Hill carnival ‘felt their unborn baby kick’ as she held his hand while he lay dying – as manager of the ‘rising star’ says he ‘could have been targeted by a rival from Bristol’

Takayo Nembhard, 21, was fatally stabbed on Ladbroke Grove under the Westway flyover at 8pm on Monday
He was given first aid and taken to ambulance ‘through significant crowds in challenging circumstances’
Tributes are flooding in for the talented footballer and drill rapper, who went by the stage name TKorStretch
Management says he leaves behind ‘mother and father, a brother, two sisters, girlfriend and child’
His girlfriend has shared picture of him hugging her baby bump reading: ‘Love you in this life and the next’
Police made 209 arrests during the event including 46 for assault, 8 for sexual assault and 27 for public order

The pregnant girlfriend of a footballer-turned drill rapper murdered at Notting Hill carnival has said she ‘felt their unborn baby kick’ as she held his hand while he lay dying – as the manager of the ‘rising star’ says he ‘could have been targeted by a rival from Bristol’.

Takayo Nembhard, 21, was fatally stabbed on Ladbroke Grove under the Westway flyover at 8pm on Monday as thousands lined the streets for the west London carnival.

Police officers gave him first aid until the arrival of paramedics, before he was taken to an ambulance ‘through significant crowds in challenging circumstances’.

Mr Nembhard, who went by the stage name TKorStretch and has just under one million views across his music videos on YouTube, was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead last night.

His girlfriend is currently pregnant, with a poignant tribute saying the ‘child will never meet his father’.

She today shared a picture of him hugging her baby bump with the message: ‘So grateful to be carrying a part of you. Love you in this life and the next.’

And in a post to her Instagram page, she added: ‘Takayo my sweet beautiful boy, all I can ask is why over and over again. You was the most kind hearted, loving ,funny and caring person.

‘I’m sat here with sore eyes and a heavy heart as I’ve cried consistently for the last 12 hours while carrying your unborn son. I will remind him daily about how great you were as a son, brother, boyfriend and friend too!

‘The love I have for you will never stop and I will honour your name everyday. I will look after your sisters to the best of my ability. They loved you soo much. We all did.

‘I held your hand yesterday for the last time as you led there lifeless and baby T kicked me straight away and it broke me. It’s just not fair ,we live in such a cruel world. I’m so angry yet keep being told I have to stay strong for the baby.

‘The support you had at the hospital yesterday from family and friends was so lovely. I only wish you knew how loved you really was.

‘I love you whole heartedly and I’m so glad I get to share something so special with you and I know I’ll see you in him everyday.’

Chris Patrick, who managed TKorStretch, said the rapper had travelled to the Notting Hill carnival with his 18-year-old sister from their hometown of Bristol.

He told MailOnline: ‘They’d booked a hotel in Hammersmith and had travelled the 120-miles from Bristol to London to enjoy the carnival.

‘He had gone to enjoy the celebrations, he wasn’t looking for trouble. It was a pointless taking of a life. I received a phone call from his dad last night to say something had happened and could I help as I’m based in London.

Takayo Nembhard (right), 21, has been named as the victim of a fatal stabbing on the last day of Notting Hill Carnival on Monday

Mr Nembhard’s girlfriend today shared a picture of him hugging her baby bump with the message: ‘So grateful to be carrying a part of you. Love you in this life and the next’

Mr Nembhard was fatally stabbed on Ladbroke Grove under the Westway flyover at 8pm on Monday – as thousands lined the streets in west London

Mr Nembhard went by the stage name TKorStretch and has just under one million views across his music videos on YouTube and other platforms

Part of TKorStretch’s persona while performing was wearing masks. In an interview with Wordplay Magazine last July, he explained: ‘I don’t want my face to be the face everyone knows’

Mr Nembhard was a former youth team player at Bristol Rovers, before turning to drill rapping when he had to retire from football due to an injury

‘All I knew at that point is that Takayo had been taken to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. I didn’t know how serious it was.

‘I was in the car on route when I got the call to say Takayo was gone. I met his sister at the hospital, she was devastated.

‘His parents have been to see me today. They are hurting incredibly badly. It’s beyond words.

‘I don’t know why it happened. If he was deliberately targeted by someone, it would unlikely be someone from London as Takayo barely knew anyone here. It could be that a rival from Bristol has come all this way to target him.

‘But it could also be the result of an argument that escalated, and someone pulled a knife. It happens unfortunately all too regularly. I don’t know the why yet.

‘What I do know is that it is a senseless killing. He was a young man with his life and career as an artist ahead of him. He was due to be a dad imminently but now that child will never know their father.’

Mr Patrick added: ‘Takayo worked incredibly hard on his music videos, on his social media presence, his TikTok. He was a rising star on his way to reaching the heights of artists like Stormzy, Dave, Wretch 32. He had a bright future.

‘I wanted to work with him straight away when he came to see me at the age of 19. He travelled across Southern England with his dad to see me. He had a good aura.

‘Something needs to be done about knife crime in London and the UK. It’s getting out of control.

‘Anyone caught carrying a knife in the street should get a mandatory five-years in prison. If you use that knife it should be 10-years. If you kill someone, at least 40-years.

‘I hope the police catch whoever done this and they go away for a long, long time.’

A spokesman for his former football club said: ‘Bristol Rovers are deeply saddened to learn of the death of former academy player Takayo Nembhard. The club would like to pass on its condolences to Takayo’s family and friends at this difficult time.’

Mr Nembhard’s death was confirmed in a post to his Instagram account today, which said: ‘Two years ago a young 19-year-old man came from Bristol to meet me at my studio with his dad, his name was Takayo Nembhard AKA TKorStretch.

‘That meeting took us on a journey. We recorded some great music together. His talent was endless and I can tell you guys he was close to greatness!

‘So it’s with a heavy heart that I bring the news that Takayo (TKorStretch) passed away last night. He came from Bristol to simply have a good time at the London carnival and this is the end result!

‘My deepest condolences to TK’s mother & father his brother, two sisters, girlfriend and child that will never meet his father! TK was a good kid, a good guy and what has happened breaks my heart. Rest in peace my friend.’

Forensics officers meticulously comb through Ladbroke Grove, west London, where the fatal stabbing took place on Monday night

Rubbish can be seen strewn across the pavement within the large police cordon in west London after thousands lined the streets for the carnival

An estimated two million people were expected to have attended over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend. Pictured: A forensics officer at the scene of the fatal stabbing

Police at the scene on Ladbroke Grove in West London this morning, after a 21-year-old man was stabbed to death last night

Police at the scene of the stabbing at the Notting Hill Carnival in West London last night as blood is pictured on the ground

Police officers on Ladbroke Grove in West London last night around the time of the stabbing at 8pm yesterday

A police officer stands in front of the murder scene under the Westway on Ladbroke Grove in West London this morning

Scenes on Ladbroke Grove in West London last night around the time of the stabbing at 8pm

Police activated special stop and search powers from about 9.30pm last night until 1am this morning in the festival area

‘Officers dread policing it’: Ex-Scotland Yard boss warns carnival is taken over by gangs on final day

Roy Ramm, former commander of specialist operations at the Met, said the final day of Notting Hill ‘degenerates’ into violence.

He told LBC: ‘For most people it is safe. We saw a good day on Sunday. Yesterday for most of the day it was a safe place and well policed. Police have learned a great deal over many years about how to police the carnival.

‘But there is a time, always on the last day it seems, that it degenerates. The drug sellers, the gangs, seem to reject the spirit of carnival and take the opportunity to settle scores, to mark out territory and bring out the knives. It is a tragedy, a tragedy for the family of the young man who died and a tragedy for the people of Notting Hill.

‘It is very difficult to do anything other than they [police] are doing now. It started out as a spontaneous event many years ago and police have joined into it, danced with the revellers. There were 7,000 police officers there on the day – will 14,000 make any difference?

‘The trouble is, these young men, and it is young men, they want to fight, mark out their territory and sell their drugs. They are determined to wreck it in the evenings.’

The Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents the force’s officers, added: ‘Sad to report at least 34 Metropolitan Police officers were assaulted at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival.

‘We are supporting colleagues. Every year our brave officers come under attack at this event. Colleagues dread policing it. And yet nothing changes.’ ‘

Mr Nembhard’s manager Chris Patrick said in a statement: ‘He went to Carnival with his younger sister and friends to have a good time. This is the worst possible ending for a talented kid.’

He was a former youth team player at Bristol Rovers, before turning to drill rapping when he had to retire from football due to an injury.

It comes as Roy Ramm, former commander of specialist operations at the Met, today said the final day of Notting Hill ‘degenerates’ into violence.

‘It is a tragedy, a tragedy for the family of the young man who died and a tragedy for the people of Notting Hill.

‘It is very difficult to do anything other than they [police] are doing now. It started out as a spontaneous event many years ago and police have joined into it, danced with the revellers.

‘There were 7,000 police officers there on the day – will 14,000 make any difference?

‘The trouble is, these young men, and it is young men, they want to fight, mark out their territory and sell their drugs. They are determined to wreck it in the evenings.’

The Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents the force’s officers, added: ‘Sad to report at least 34 Metropolitan Police officers were assaulted at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival.

‘We are supporting colleagues. Every year our brave officers come under attack at this event. Colleagues dread policing it. And yet nothing changes.’

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was ‘sickened’ by the fatal stabbing.

He said: ‘I urge anyone with information to contact the police on 101 or anonymously by @CrimeStoppersUK. There is no honour in staying silent.’

Part of TKorStretch’s persona while performing was wearing masks.

In an interview with Wordplay Magazine last July, he explained why: ‘I don’t want my face to be the face everyone knows. I don’t want to go to Tesco and have people know that it’s me who makes the music.

‘I don’t care about fame, I just want to make music and have people enjoy it. I don’t mind talking to people, don’t get me wrong, but if I’m with my mum or sisters or something I just want to be able to chill out.’

He told how he began making music as a teenager after suffering a leg injury while playing for Bristol Rovers’ under-17 team.

He said: ‘I was in the academy from the age of 6 to 16 but had an injury, I had a clot in my right leg, so I knew I wasn’t going to play for a while.

‘Because of that I wanted to find something to keep me focused so I didn’t go insane. I liked singing so I was going to little studios here and there and then started taking it more seriously.’

Witness Brian Stovell told the Evening Standard of the graphic scenes, saying: ‘I knew by the amount of blood that he wasn’t going to make it. Most people in the crowd were caught up in the movement and vibe of the carnival.’

He also described efforts to try to save the man, adding: ‘There was one woman putting on surgical gloves but she was a civilian. And another woman in distress was in the circle – it looked like she had been with him.’

The newspaper also reported that as officers tried to hold the crowd back from where the man was being given first aid, a woman could be heard shouting through the police line: ‘He’s just a child. Why would they do that?’

As police continued to investigate, they appealed today for any witnesses to come forward with video footage or other information, saying there were ‘hundreds of people in the immediate vicinity when this incident took place’.

At 9.30pm, police activated special powers within the area under a Section 60 order which allowed them to stop and search a person without suspicion for ‘dangerous instruments and offensive weapons’ until 1am this morning. Detectives added that there had been ‘a number of violent incidents and serious stabbings’ at this year’s festival.

Scotland Yard said officers had made 209 arrests since the start of the carnival as of 12.01am today – including 46 for assault, eight for sexual assault, 36 for possession of drugs, five for criminal damage and 27 for public order.

Police added that there were also ten arrests for possession of psychoactive substances, 33 for possession of an offensive weapon, seven for drink or drug driving, one theft, one robbery and 35 more listed as ‘other’.

While the total number of arrests for the whole of this year’s carnival has not yet been confirmed, the number at the 2019 festival was significantly higher at 353 – compared to 374 in 2018, 313 in 2017 and 454 in 2016.

Yesterday’s stabbing is thought to have been the first murder at the Notting Hill Carnival since 2004 when Lee Christopher Subaran, 27, of Mill Hill, was shot dead at point-blank range near Kensal Green Underground station.

The last day of the two-day festival yesterday, the ‘Adults Day’ parade, ended officially at 8.30pm last night after the event saw some 13 steel bands, 72 mast bands, six Brazilian bands, 36 sound systems and 300 stalls involved.

Dr Alison Heydari, Commander of Local Policing, said this morning: ‘Officers from across the Met have been working tirelessly over the past two days to ensure that all those who came to Notting Hill Carnival could enjoy the experience safely. It was the culmination of months of close coordination with the organisers, our local authority and emergency service partners and the community.

‘The atmosphere over the past two days has been largely positive and good natured as Carnival should be. Regrettably, on Monday evening we saw a number of violent incidents and a 21-year-old man has lost his life.

‘Affectionate’ horse who died at Notting Hill Carnival was ‘loved dearly’, Met Police says

Police Horse (PH) Sandown died after collapsing on duty

One of the Metropolitan Police’s most experienced and ‘affectionate’ horses died after collapsing while on duty at the Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday, the force has said.

Police Horse (PH) Sandown, a 14-year-old chestnut gelding, had policed ‘all types of events’ across London during his seven years of service since being presented to the force in 2015.

A statement paid tribute to PH Sandown’s ‘bravery and courageousness’ as well as his ‘affectionate character’. PH Sandown was said to be so good-natured that he was the ‘go-to horse’ for mounted branch officers who were starting their training.

A Met Police statement: ‘It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Police Horse (PH) Sandown, who collapsed on Sunday August 28 at Notting Hill Carnival. PH 149 Sandown was a 14-year-old chestnut gelding who stood 16 hands high. He played an integral role in helping to police London. He was one of the Met’s most experienced horses, with an impeccable seven-year police career.’

The tribute added: ‘PH Sandown was gifted to the Met in 2015 and his good nature quickly won over officers. He was the go-to horse to help new officers grow in confidence as they went through their training.

‘A pro at policing all types of events across London, he demonstrated his bravery and courageousness at numerous football fixtures whilst also being selected to perform at the Mounted Activity Ride at Olympia, and the Mounted Musical Ride.’

The statement said the horse was ‘loved dearly’ and would be ‘sorely missed’.

‘Police horses are working animals, but PH Sandown was also an affectionate character who was full of personality. He loved his food and was always nuzzling in pockets looking for treats. PH Sandown was a massive part of the Mounted Branch family and was loved dearly. He will be sorely missed by all.’

A post-mortem examination is under way to determine the cause of the horse’s death.

‘Our thoughts are with his family as they come to terms with their terrible loss. A murder investigation is under way, led by homicide detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

‘They will pursue every possible line of enquiry to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

‘There were hundreds of people in the immediate vicinity when this incident took place. I would urge anyone who saw anything, who has video footage or who has any other information that could assist officers, to come forward.’

Anyone with information can contact the police directly on 101 providing the reference 7478/29AUG.

The Metropolitan Police Events account tweeted late last night: ‘A Section 60 order is in place within the Notting Hill Carnival footprint and borders. This commenced at 21:24 hours tonight until 01:00 hours 30th August.

‘This is following a number of violent incidents and serious stabbings. Crowds remain within the footprint and wider areas.’

It comes after a Met Police horse died after collapsing while on duty at the carnival on Sunday evening. An investigation has since been launched into Police Horse (PH) Sandown’s death.

The Met Police said the most recent carnival in 2019 cost it £8.6million to police. The festival does however bring hundreds of thousands of tourists into London and creates an estimated £120million for the economy.

Notting Hill is the largest street carnival in Europe and an estimated two million people were expected to have attended over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend.

The carnival first started in 1966, when about 1,000 people attended, and is famous for its celebration of Afro-Caribbean traditions.

Organisers said last night when it ended: ‘It’s been amazing to have the flamboyance and sounds of Notting Hill Carnival back on the road.

‘Carnival has now officially ended. Thank you all again for making it so special. See you next year!’

London Mayor Sadiq Khan also welcomed its return, saying: ‘I’m delighted that Notting Hill Carnival will be returning to the streets of west London this weekend.

‘This community-led celebration of Caribbean history and culture has become one of the world’s biggest street festivals and part of the very fabric of this city.

‘I urge everyone planning to attend Carnival to arrive early to make the most of this wonderful celebration of our capital’s diversity.’

Street cleaners will also now face daunting task of tackling the piles of rubbish left on the streets after the Notting Hill Carnival over the weekend.

Roads and streets surrounding the festival in West London were pictured full of piles of rubbish which included a destroyed Transport for London bike and tons of takeaway boxes.

Dancers dressed in colourful feathered outfits brought the party when it returned to the streets surrounding Notting Hill for the first time in three years.

On Sunday, footage showed the moment a bus stop collapsed during the carnival when a group of revellers danced on its roof.

Rubbish covers the streets next to a police cordon the morning after Notting Hill Carnival in West London today

Crowds pictured near a police van as the Notting Hill Carnival in West London comes to an end yesterday evening

A before-and-after view of Cambridge Gardens in Notting Hill overnight as council teams cleared the streets

Notting Hill Carnival performers take part in the main parade through the streets of West London yesterday afternoon

The Notting Hill Carnival event map shows the location of the judging zone, safety zones, street trading and sound systems

A worker removes rubbish covering the streets today on the morning after Notting Hill Carnival in West London

Rubbish hanging form the fence of a residential property in Notting Hill in West London overnight

Rubbish covers the streets the morning after Notting Hill Carnival in West London today

The mounds of rubbish spilling out of a bin and onto a pavement in Notting Hill on the final day of the Carnival yesterday

A large pile of rubbish is stacked up at the end of the Notting Hill Carnival last night as people make their way home

Teams of waste collection crews at a depot last night as they clear the streets of Notting Hill after the carnival

Carnival arrests so far

Scotland Yard said that of 0.01am this morning, a total of 209 arrests had been made since the start of Notting Hill Carnival for the following offences:

36 x possession of drugs
5 x criminal damage
27 x public order
46 x assault
8 x sexual assault
10 x possession of psychoactive substances
33 x possession of an offensive weapon
7 x drink/drug driving
35 x Other
1 x theft
1 x Robbery

A huge crowd watching people on top of the Kensal House bus shelter on Ladbroke Grove were heard to gasp and exclaim in shock as the top gave way and the revellers fell onto the pavement, nearly crushing four people below.

Two people suffered minor injuries but did not need further treatment after the incident, which came at the end of ‘family day’ which saw bright and dazzling costumes as the carnival procession made its way along the streets.

A woman also gave birth in a side street near the festival before paramedics took the mother and her newborn child to hospital.

Officers were seen comforting the woman before paramedics arrived and took the mother and baby away in an ambulance.

A London Ambulance spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 6.45pm on Sunday August 28 to reports of a person in labour within the footprint of Notting Hill Carnival.

‘We treated an adult and baby at the scene and took them to hospital as a priority.’

MailOnline has asked for an update on the condition of the mother and baby.

Meanwhile one video showed two men punching each other before being pulled apart by others, after people around them were dancing and singing ‘Don’t Worry About A Thing’ to Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds.

Revellers and police walk past a pile of rubbish during the Notting Hill Carnival in west London yesterday

Revellers walk past a pile of rubbish made up of take away boxes and drinks cans during the Notting Hill Carnival in London

Crowds pack the streets at Notting Hill Carnival last night as millions of people visited the festival before it ended

Samba dancers prepare before the start of the Notting Hill Carnival in West London yesterday afternoon

Notting Hill Carnival (pictured yesterday), the largest street carnival in Europe, returned to the capital over the weekend

Dancers during the Notting Hill Carnival in London yesterday, which returned to the streets for the first time in two years

A carnival reveller wears a pharaoh outfit with a whistle in his mouth as thousands walk the streets of the London yesterday

Some 13 steel bands, 72 mast bands, six Brazilian bands, 36 sound systems and 300 stalls were involved in this year’s festival

A bus on Ladbroke Grove in West London can be seen starting to collapse on Sunday as several people walk underneath it

The last murder at the Notting Hill Carnival was in 2004 when Lee Christopher Subaran, 27, of Mill Hill, was shot dead at point-blank range near Kensal Green Underground station

Sunday kicked off with members of the Emancipated Run Crew – dressed in green in tribute to those who died at Grenfell – beginning the parade and marking the official launch of Notting Hill Carnival.

Crowds of young children blowing whistles danced down the streets with their parents in tow. Co-founder of the club Jules Stephenson said: ‘It (the atmosphere) is electric – everyone is so excited about carnival being back.’

The two-day festival has had a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Different sound systems dotted around the streets of West London entertained the dancing crowds as revellers smiled to the booming music.

Small children standing on the doorsteps of their houses waved Jamaican flags and waved at passers-by.

In other parts of the country ‘hooded youths’ ran through the campsites at Reading and Leeds Festival burning chairs and abandoned tents, it has emerged.

Anyone with information on the Notting Hill Carnival stabbing can contact the Metropolitan Police on 101 with the reference 7478/29AUG. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

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