A Dubai chef who was attacked near Notting Hill Carnival has died from his injuries, London's Met Police confirmed on Saturday, as they launched a murder investigation into the attack.
Swedish citizen Mussie Imnetu, 41, was remembered as a “great chef” who lived his life with “passion and excellence”.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the deaths of Mr Imnetu and a second person, Cher Maximen, in separate incidents at the carnival as “deeply distressing and shocking”.
Mr Imnetu was found unconscious with a head injury at the Dr Power restaurant on Queensway, Bayswater, at about 11.30pm on Monday.
He had been visiting London on a business trip from the UAE, where he was head chef of the Arts Club Dubai, having previously worked under celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse.
The Met Police told The National that the attack was now the subject of a murder investigation, and the force has launched further appeals for witnesses.
Tributes for rising star
Tributes poured in from Dubai for the chef who had previously worked with Marcus Wareing at the Savoy Grill, Gordon Ramsay at The London and Alain Ducasse at Adour in New York.
Born in Eritrea and raised in Sweden, Mr Imnetu was known by colleagues at the Arts Club to test out his recipes on his son.
“Rest in peace, beautiful chef,” wrote Australian chef and cookbook author Greg Malouf on Instagram.
Tributes also came from Julien Royer, owner of the three-Michelin-starred Odette in Singapore, and Modern Caribbean chef Jason Howard in London.
The Arts Club said it was “deeply saddened” to confirm Mr Imnetu’s death. He joined the Arts Club London in 2011 and went on to become part of the opening of its Dubai outpost in 2020.
“He was a keen footballer and famously counted on his now eight-year-old son to taste test his culinary masterpieces,” The Arts Club said.
“Known for his passion, calm demeanour and kindness, Mussie truly embodied the club’s essence. Mussie will be dearly missed by the entire The Arts Club team. His legacy will live on through the passion and excellence he instilled in those around him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”
Dubai residents also paid tribute. Influencer Marie-Claire Accordino said: “I knew Mussie as a patron of The Arts Club in Dubai, he was a very well-liked and respected individual. He was a kind man. He will be missed by his fellow staff and the patrons, we are devastated to hear this news.”
Dubai-based food entrepreneur Massimo Vidoni said on Instagram: “Chef Mussie was one of the most good and calm person[s] I ever met. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.
“Dealing with him for the last four years was a real pleasure, he always had that distinctive class of a great chef. Always positive,” he said.
“RIP Mussie, you will always be remembered, my condolences to the family.”
Police appeal
Det Ch Insp Brian Howie, who is leading the inquiry from the Met’s Homicide Command, said: “Our investigation is well advanced, but we are still very keen to hear from anyone who can help piece together Mussie’s movements.”
Officers provided emergency first aid until paramedics arrived after Monday's attack. Mr Imnetu was taken to a West London hospital where he died on Friday.
Police are seeking witnesses from 1pm on Monday, when Mr Imnetu is known to have left the Dover Street Arts Club in Mayfair, and 10.30pm, when he arrived at the Dr Power restaurant.
Customers at the venue tried to stop the attack, Mr Howie said, as he appealed for more witnesses to come forward.
“If you visited the restaurant between 22:00 and 23:30 on Monday night or were in the area and saw something, regardless of the reason you were there, please do get in touch.
“Our focus is on what happened to Mussie. Did you speak with him at the restaurant or do you have any images or videos between these times that could assist the investigation?” He said the attack happened at around 11.30pm.
“Customers at the venue tried to help stop the attack; we need to speak with these people and I urge them to contact us.”
Suspect Omar Wilson, 31, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent – but the offence will be reviewed in light of Mr Imnetu's death, and in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service.
Wilson appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where he was remanded in custody to appear at Southwark Crown Court on September 27.
Officers plan to be outside the Dr Power restaurant and in the surrounding area from 9pm on 2 September, one week after the murder, to hand out appeal leaflets and speak to local people.
London mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the killing as “shocking, completely unacceptable and a betrayal of the values that [Notting Hill] Carnival was founded to celebrate”.
