A 25-year-old man killed on Christmas Day in a Soho crash has been named and pictured for the first time. Aidan Chapman suffered fatal injuries after he was struck by a car in Shaftesbury Avenue at 12.45am on December 25. He passed away in hospital on New Year’s Eve.
His parents said in a statement it was their “worst nightmare” to lose their “beautiful son”. They added: “We are utterly devastated with the loss of Aidan, he enriched everyone’s lives. He was a loving, kind, funny soul and the world is a darker place without him. We, his parents, have lost the best part of ourselves.”
Police were first called to reports of a crash caused by a car driving on the wrong side of the road.
A 30-year-old man appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, December 27 charged with four counts of attempted murder, causing serious injury by driving whilst disqualified, driving a motor vehicle dangerously and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, 24 January.
Police are now treating Aidan’s death as a homicide. The charges against the suspect will be reviewed by the court following his death.
Forensic investigators collect evidence at the scene on Shaftesbury Avenue
(Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from the Metropolitan Police specialist crime command, said: “Our thoughts are with the victim’s friends and family at this difficult time. My team are continuing to conduct enquiries to establish all the facts surrounding the circumstances, however it has been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related.
“We would appeal to anyone who holds any CCTV or dash cam or mobile phone footage of the incident to come forward as well as anyone else who might have had contact with the suspect that evening.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC quoting CAD 233/25DEC. Information, photos and footage can also be uploaded to Public Portal.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org
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