Recorda Davey-Ann Clarke, who also goes by the name Ricardo, was killed after an “altercation” reportedly broke out on the corner of Willesden High Road and Linacre Road on December 28, 2024.
The Old Bailey heard that the 35-year-old had been out celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday that night before he was brutally attacked.
‘Children are devastated’
Speaking exclusively to Newsquest London, Lori-Jane Forrest, who has raised two children with Mr Clarke, has said her kids are “devastated” from the loss.
The Jamaican born victim is understood to have moved to the UK at the age of seven.
Ms Forrest met Mr Clarke around 20 years ago in West Norwood.
She recalled: “We were friends, we’re still best friends. He was my best friend first and then we started dating”.
From there the two went on to have their two children Leora, 10, and Davien, six, before the couple split.
Recorda Davey-Ann Clarke, also known as Ricardo, with Davien (Image: Handout)
Speaking highly of him, she said: “He has a big heart, he’d do anything for his family and is a really funny guy.
“He loved his music, he loved being outside and just doing things with his family.”
Although Ms Forrest moved to Scotland a few years ago with her children, she made sure that the two still spent as much time as possible with their dad, emphasising that “they loved coming to see him”.
“He was a good dad, he loved his kids and family,” she said.
The mother fears for her children’s mental health after the traumatic attack and said: “They’ve been upset one minute, angry the next. As a family we’ve suffered a lot of loss over the last few years, so it’s the numb feeling, I think.
“I don’t think they’ll ever get over it, especially because of the circumstances. My daughter is old enough so she knows that he’s been murdered – she read it online, which is heartbreaking.
“My son is a daddy’s boy. They’re suffering, we all are now. But they’re struggling so much more.
“I am worried for their mental health.”
‘Bright future ahead of him’
Mr Clarke was described as a “very hardworking man” at the Royal Parks, as an apprentice studying botany and the biology of plants.
His ex-partner said: “He loved gardening plants. The garden at his mum’s house has all these plants he cared for, and my son said ‘who’s going to look after daddy’s plants?’
“He had a bright future ahead of him.”
His interest in gardening was so strong, that his family hopes to plant a tree in honour of his name.
During his time in the UK he has always been “south London-bound”, most recently living in Peckham.
Hundreds of heartbroken people turned up to his Nine Night, a Jamaican celebration of life which takes place after a death, sharing their memories of him.
“I would have died for him, and he would have died for me,” said Ms Forrest.
‘Still in shock’
When the news broke that her ex-partner was killed, Ms Forrest said she was shocked.
She said: “I just didn’t think it was true at all. He’s not what you’d call a ‘roadman’, he’s not about that life. I’m obviously still shocked to be honest.”
The family had plans to have Mr Clarke visit Scotland to see the kids after Christmas – rather than their normal routine of visiting London – before his life was taken away.
And while the children are mourning, Ms Forrest said she’s also concerned for his mother.
“Ricardo’s mum -she just lost her son. He has three other brothers, but he’s the baby of the family. She’s lost without him.”
Having lived in south London for most of her life, she said that the experiences of crime she has seen and heard about has made her very alert.
Ms Forrest added: “This is obviously one of the reasons I moved out of London, it’s just terrible. No one is safe, it’s just stabbings every day.
“Since him, there’s been so many other ones – it’s just crazy… I do not want that for my kids.”
According to his ex-partner, Mr Clarke was a “fun-loving and bubbly guy” and believes unfortunate circumstances led up to his death.
“He wasn’t out there looking for fights, that’s not him. He just wanted to go work, come home, see his kids. That’s him,” she explained.
What is the latest at court?
The court heard how in the early hours of the morning an “altercation” broke out between two groups, which allegedly included Mr Clarke and 29-year-old Elyas Moussa.
Police believe an attacker had hit the victim’s girlfriend and that Mr Clarke ran towards them to help her – which is when he was allegedly stabbed “two-to-three times”.
Medics tried performing open heart surgery on the victim in the ambulance, but he was pronounced dead at 5.29am before reaching hospital.
Elyas Moussa, of no fixed address, was arrested on December 28 and subsequently charged with murder.
Judge Mark Dennis KC set a plea hearing for March 21 and a provisional three-week trial from October 13.
Following his death, Ms Forrest hopes to raise funds to cover the funeral costs and provide financial security for the future of their kids.
To help support the family, donate here: https://gofund.me/30a91a94
She explained: “Leora and Davien have experienced a lot of grief and heartbreak over the last few years losing their nan, great Nan, aunt, grandad, great grandad and now their father.
“Our children are devastated, confused, upset and angry and will definitely need some therapy and ongoing support as they have suffered great losses.”
