Police witness and information appeal following an incident which led to death of 17 year old in Fairlop Waters.

Police are appealing for any witnesses and information in relation to an incident which has led to the death of a 17-year-old male in Fairlop Waters in Ilford. 

An investigation was launched after police were called to the location shortly after 00:30hrs on Monday, 4 July. Nicolae Topa from Chigwell had willingly entered the water to swim but had failed to return to shore.

Colleagues from the National Police Air Service, London Fire Brigade and the Marine Policing Unit carried out initial searches but they could not locate Nicolae.

After the area was also searched by specialist divers, Nicolae’s body was subsequently recovered from the water on Monday evening. His family has been informed and continue to be supported by specialist officers.

A post-mortem examination took place on 7 July – no formal cause of death was established and the results of further tests are awaited. While this process takes place, Nicolae’s death is being treated as unexpected.

An inquest will be opened and adjourned in due course.

Detective Inspector Sean Treweek, from the East Area Command Unit, said: “This is an utterly tragic incident which has left Nicolae’s family and friends understandably devastated. 

“Nicolae was with his friends that night and decided to enter the water on his own to swim. It was very dark and soon after he entered his friends lost sight of him.

“I know that Fairlop Waters is popular place for fishing and I would ask anyone who was there on the evening of Sunday, 3 July into the early hours of 4 July and may have heard or seen Nicolae in the water to get in contact so we can build as complete a picture of his last moments as possible.”

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD173/4July.