London watch dealer found dead 24 hours after robbers raided his store | UK News
A watch dealer who was found dead less than 24 hours after robbers raided his shop is believed to have taken his life, his family said.
Oliver White died at his family home in Surrey, a day after unarmed thieves broke into his 247 Kettles store in Richmond in south-west London on Saturday before taking off with dozens of high value watches.
His family have now said that the 27-year-old subsequently took his own life due to the ‘anguish and distress of this terrible incident’.
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In a tribute released by Surrey Police, they said: ‘Our son Oliver returned home from his place of work on Saturday traumatised and unable to speak.
‘He had been the victim of a terrifying attack and high value robbery at his place of work, which was later shared widely on social media.
‘As a family we are devastated by the loss of our beautiful, funny, loyal boy, who lit up every room he walked into.
‘We are desperately trying to make sense and come to terms with this tragic incident and plead that we are given the privacy to grieve without additional stress and intrusion into our lives.’
His grieving girlfriend Alana Dredge wrote in a tribute that her life ‘will never be the same again’, adding that she felt ‘so numb’ that she could not cry anymore.
His girlfriend Alana Dredge shared on Instagram this photograph of herself with Oliver
She added: ‘I can’t explain how much I love you. I will never stop loving you.
‘I have never felt pain like this, you were the only person that could give me comfort like no other and make all my pain go away.
‘Now you’re not here I don’t know what I’m going to do. I love you Oliver more than I can put into words.’
Owners of 247 Kettles described Oliver as someone with a ‘vibrant spirit and kind heart’, adding that they had been friends for more than 20 years.
Oliver had been left ‘traumatised’ after the robbery
They said his loss is ‘felt deeply by all that knew him’. After paying tribute, the firm said he ‘should never have been alone in the office on Saturday and that amount of watches should’ve never been on display’.
In a statement released on their Instagram account, 247 Kettles revealed that the suspects targeted the store posing as potential clients across a three-day period ‘waiting for a vulnerability and the correct time to strike’.
They added: ‘Oliver had an incredible work ethic and a passion for pleasing customers. He liked to work around the clock and even out of hours to ensure customers were satisfied.
‘He should never have been alone in the office on Saturday and that amount of watches should’ve never been on display.
Alana and Oliver in their ‘last photo together’ taken two weeks ago
‘We have strict security procedures to prevent such circumstances. Unfortunately in these tragic events such procedures were not followed through no fault of anyone’s. Panic buttons, alarms, smoke screens & security doors are in place.’
Surrey Police were called to Oliver’s home after 8.15pm when they were alerted to a concern for safety.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the force said his death is not thought to be suspicious.
The Metropolitan Police are continuing to search for the suspects involved in the watch raid.
The pair were seen sitting on the other side of a table from the victim, when one man grabs the dealer and pushes him, while the other grabbed watches and ran off.
In a statement, the Met Police said: ‘The incident happened around 2.50pmon Saturday, May 25, in Kew Road.
‘Two men, who were not armed, entered the shop and assaulted a member of staff before stealing a quantity of high value watches.’
