Three men have been sentenced to life in prison for a combined total of 79 years for the brutal murder of a teenager in a West London park. Keith Preddie, 34, Daniel Matos, 23, and Joshua Cowley, 29, were found guilty of murdering 19-year-old Tyler Donnelly in Hanworth Park, Feltham, on January 25, 2024.
Details of the Attack
Tyler Donnelly was found unresponsive in the grass at Hanworth Park with multiple injuries, including a fatal stab wound to the neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was also found carrying nearly 30 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, along with £300 in cash, later revealed to be part of his role as a drug runner for a local operation.
CCTV footage showed Tyler cycling into the park, followed by the three defendants, who were also on bikes. Daniel Matos was tracked via a GPS tag, which placed him at the scene. The trio ambushed Tyler, stabbing him in the neck before fleeing the park. Matos returned home to change clothes, while the other two went to Cowley's home.
Arrest and Trial
All three were arrested on January 28, 2024. Officers found a hoodie stained with Tyler's blood in Matos' room. During interviews, all three denied ever meeting Tyler. However, they were convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey.
Judge Mark Dennis KC described the attack as a "brutal and cowardly ambush," noting that Tyler was outnumbered and had no chance to defend himself. The judge sentenced Matos to a minimum of 27 years and six months, Preddie to 27 years, and Cowley to 25 years.
Family's Grief
In a victim impact statement, Tyler's family expressed their profound loss: "Tyler was deeply loved, he was at the centre of our family, and his loss has changed our lives forever. Grief has consumed our family. Our house is filled with silence, pain, and absence. Nothing feels the same, and nothing ever will."
They added: "Tyler had a warmth and kindness that drew people to him. He was not perfect, none of us are. He was nineteen. Sometimes he made silly choices like many young people do, but he deserved the chance to grow. He deserved the chance to mature and he deserved the chance to become the man he was capable of being."
Police Statement
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who led the investigation, said: "Today’s sentence reflects the brutal and targeted attack carried out by three individuals, which left Tyler fatally injured in a public park. It was a shocking act of violence, carried out with a complete disregard for its devastating consequences."
He continued: "My thoughts, and those of my team, remain firmly with Tyler’s family, whose strength and dignity throughout this case has been remarkable. This case underlines the destructive link between drugs and serious violence, and why we remain committed to tackling drug supply to protect our communities."
