WALTHAM FOREST: Murdered teen's family united in grief (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: Murdered teen's family united in grief

7:00am Thursday 28th August 2008

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A GRIEVING mum and dad have spoken of their heartache following the murder of their 18-year-old son, and insisted it was not a “black on black” gang killing.

Charles and Melanie Hendricks said Charles Hendricks Junior, known as CJ, was a “bright” and “funny” young man who would light up any room, and refuted suggestions he was involved in one of Waltham Forest’s notorious street gangs.

CJ, a former Leytonstone School pupil, was one of nine children from his parent’s present and former partners, who lived in a semi-detached house with his parents and two of his brothers in Leytonstone.

On the night he died he had told them he was going to a house party with a friend in Walthamstow. That was the last they saw him before he was stabbed, and became the 24th teenager to be killed violently in London this year.

Surrounded by photos of her handsome son at family weddings, and often referring to him in the present tense, Mrs Hendricks said he was a charming young man who had lots of admirers and would “light up any room”.

She added: “He would help anyone in the world. He was very caring and all the kids loved him. His nephew idolises him and his little cousins love him. We are a very big and close family.”

And while Mrs Hendricks spoke warmly of her son, her husband proudly added under his breath: “That’s my CJ.”

Mr Hendricks Snr, 55, a carer for his wife who is disabled, told the Guardian his son wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps to become a carpenter and since passing a two-year City and Guilds in multi-skilled construction at London Construction Training (LCT) in Blackhorse Lane, he was looking forward to passing his driving test and starting an apprenticeship with Apollo Construction.

Like many teenagers, he enjoyed football, basketball, walking his dogs and listening to music. He also worked as a volunteer at Beaumont Youth Centre in Leytonstone where he helped with activities and day trips for youngsters.

Mr Hendricks Snr denied his son was in a gang but conceded that he had “associations” with gang members from Priory Court and Billet Road and had previously received threats to his life.

He said: “It is not a black on black killing. His college reported to the police about threats he was getting.”

Mrs Hendricks added: “CJ used to prefer to stay in his room with his friends than walking the streets because he was scared for his safety.”

She continued: “They [the media] portray him in the wrong way. He is not in a gang. It is not gang-related. He has never been in any gang.

“It is by association. Just because he talks with people doesn’t mean he is in their business.

“They keep saying black on black crime. But we are a mixed race family, black, white and all.”

This bloody crime has left Mr Hendricks Snr feeling angry that his son didn’t grow up to fulfil his potential and wants to see an end to knife crime.

“We must turn the situation around, not just for my son but for others. The future for the next generation is in jeopardy if we don’t stop it now. Something must be done to help people see sense. The Government aren’t doing their part. They need to influence young kids from a young age. People need a purpose to live,” he said.

His parents said the family were “believers” and that CJ’s bible was always at the side of his bed, and still is.

A skilled artist, he had hand-drawn a design of praying hands, with the words Please Lord, which he was planning to have inscribed as a tattoo. His father now plans to have the design tattooed onto him as a lasting memory.

Operations manager at London Construction Training (LCT), John Divine, said CJ was “a nice lad”, and confirmed the centre had asked police to investigate previous “matters” but would not comment further while the murder enquiry was underway.

Leave your tributes to CJ in the comment box below.

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serafin, says...
9:55pm Thu 28 Aug 08

It is about time that certain sections of the black community wake up and start taking responsibility for the disgraceful behaviour of their youth, some serious questions need to be asked. I am a British born African as part of my childhood, I was taught to respect authority, have reverance for God and keep rightful associations. What I see today at the age of 37, makes me ashamed to be black. If you carry a knife or a gun it makes it far to easy to be provoked into using it. It is a mark of a coward.

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Technomist, Walthamstow says...
2:38am Fri 29 Aug 08

I am sure I am not the only person who would like to pass on my condolences to Mr Hendrick's family. It must be a very distressing time indeed.

I am, nevertheless a little confused by their statements. If Mr Hendrick's family are so sure that the killing was not 'black on black, or was or was not a particular kind of killing, it sounds like they think they know who did it. Can we please be told who, if anyone, they are accusing of the killing? Has that person been charged with the killing? Can we please be given more information as to whether any of the people allegedly involved are people who could be described as taking part in a 'black on black killing'? If their belief is that it was not a black on black killing can we please be provided with a description of the alleged assailant(s). Can the reporter please expand on what the family said was the basis for their beliefs in this regard?

It would also be helpful to know what the family means by something being 'by association'? An association is a status of close relationship- or as it is explained in the thesaurus an "affiliation, alliance, combination, conjunction, connection, cooperation, partnership." What exactly do they mean?

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Family/Friend, London says...
12:03pm Sat 30 Aug 08

To the Technomist,

Speaking on behalf of the Hendricks family we would like to clarify in regards to your points made.

1) Black on Black crimes are something that is a shock within the Black community, but due to the media hyping the news to understand what the real issue is?

The last person to see "CJ" alive does know the who the killers are!!!!!!!!!! But all will be revealed in due time.

These boys/girls gangs that are going around trying to prove that they have the power of the streets and think that they can get away with this.

These children and this generation are probably a product of young mothers (teenager mothers with absent fathers), who have either followed in their older sibling footsteps, (WHO THINK THEY ARE BIG), THAT SOCIETY HAS ROBBED THEM, when in fact their parents, if there parents have not, instilled DISCIPLINE, RESPECT AND FAMILY VALUES.

My mother, father and grandparents instilled in us all a discipline structured, nurturing, educational and christian environment. The newspapers only feature what they want the public to see.

CJ has brought the family closer together, we have never experienced a MURDER in our family.

If this was a WHITE on WHITE gang, which does occur, the media and the police would deal with this in a different matter.

BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE POLICE ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB AS WITH THE MEDIA IN THIS CASE AS THE INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN RELAYED HAS BEEN APPROPRIATE, it's just because some narrow minded, uneducated yobs. WOULD KILL WITHOUT REMORSE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN BROUGHT UP WITH FAMILY VALUES.

I am sure that if this happened to you, God forbid in your family. You will release that it would sake you up as it has with me and the rest of the links to CJ (Family, friends, work and his the positive associates that were in his life).

I am sorry that you would like to have your questions answered, but due to the sensitive nature and the ongoing investigation, it would not be advisable for me to go into detail.

My message to everyone who reads this, if they get the chance get to the bottom of this page.

IF YOU KNOW WHO THE KILLERS ARE FOR THIS CRIME AND OTHER CRIMES THAT HAVE TAKEN A LIFE. THINK OF YOUR OWN FAMILY AS YOU CAN BE NEXT!!!!

THESE CHILDREN NEED HELP, MOST OF THE VICTIMS ARE LAW ABIDING YOUNGSTERS WHO WERE HAD A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE, GAINING QUALIFICATION AND TO BETTER THEMSELVES. THESE CHILDREN GET TARGETTED BECAUSE OF THERE ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD AND NOT TO FOLLOW THE HOODY CULTURE AND THE STATISTICS.

THE BLACK COMMUNITY DO NOT TRUST THE SYSTEM, IF THEY LEARNT TO SPEAK OUT AND NOT TO KEEP SILENT, THEN WE WOULD HEAR THE POSITIVE OF WHAT THE YOUTH ARE DOING WHICH GETS IGNORED!!

MY MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT, THEY NEED TO BRING BACK THE PARENTS THE RIGHT TO DISCIPLINE THEIR CHILDREN, THE SCHOOLS TO BRING BACK THE OLD SCHOOL REGIME, FOR CURFEWS FOR CHILDREN FROM INFANT TO EIGHTEEN, MY REASON:- THEY SHOULD BE AT HOME WITH THEIR FAMILY AND NOT ROAMING THE STREETS LOOKING FOR TROUBLE, HENCE WHY THE KIDS LOFT ON THE STREETS AROUND MCDONALD, THE PARK OR PERSONAL PROPERTY.

PARENTS NEED TO GET THEIR RIGHTS TO DISCIPLINE WITHOUT CHASTISMENT, I CAME OUT ALRIGHT AND MY SIBLINGS AND WE WERE FROM THE GENERATION OF THE 60/70'S.

WATCH THIS SPACE OR WHEN CJS'S FUNERAL TAKES PLACE.

To the Technomist, Speaking on behalf of the Hendricks family we would like to clarify in regards to your points made. 1) Black on Black crimes are something that is a shock within the Black community, but due to the media hyping the news to understand what the real issue is? The last person to see "CJ" alive does know the who the killers are!!!!!!!!!! But all will be revealed in due time. These boys/girls gangs that are going around trying to prove that they have the power of the streets and think that they can get away with this. These children and this generation are probably a product of young mothers (teenager mothers with absent fathers), who have either followed in their older sibling footsteps, (WHO THINK THEY ARE BIG), THAT SOCIETY HAS ROBBED THEM, when in fact their parents, if there parents have not, instilled DISCIPLINE, RESPECT AND FAMILY VALUES. My mother, father and grandparents instilled in us all a discipline structured, nurturing, educational and christian environment. The newspapers only feature what they want the public to see. CJ has brought the family closer together, we have never experienced a MURDER in our family. If this was a WHITE on WHITE gang, which does occur, the media and the police would deal with this in a different matter. BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE POLICE ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB AS WITH THE MEDIA IN THIS CASE AS THE INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN RELAYED HAS BEEN APPROPRIATE, it's just because some narrow minded, uneducated yobs. WOULD KILL WITHOUT REMORSE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN BROUGHT UP WITH FAMILY VALUES. I am sure that if this happened to you, God forbid in your family. You will release that it would sake you up as it has with me and the rest of the links to CJ (Family, friends, work and his the positive associates that were in his life). I am sorry that you would like to have your questions answered, but due to the sensitive nature and the ongoing investigation, it would not be advisable for me to go into detail. My message to everyone who reads this, if they get the chance get to the bottom of this page. IF YOU KNOW WHO THE KILLERS ARE FOR THIS CRIME AND OTHER CRIMES THAT HAVE TAKEN A LIFE. THINK OF YOUR OWN FAMILY AS YOU CAN BE NEXT!!!! THESE CHILDREN NEED HELP, MOST OF THE VICTIMS ARE LAW ABIDING YOUNGSTERS WHO WERE HAD A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE, GAINING QUALIFICATION AND TO BETTER THEMSELVES. THESE CHILDREN GET TARGETTED BECAUSE OF THERE ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD AND NOT TO FOLLOW THE HOODY CULTURE AND THE STATISTICS. THE BLACK COMMUNITY DO NOT TRUST THE SYSTEM, IF THEY LEARNT TO SPEAK OUT AND NOT TO KEEP SILENT, THEN WE WOULD HEAR THE POSITIVE OF WHAT THE YOUTH ARE DOING WHICH GETS IGNORED!! MY MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT, THEY NEED TO BRING BACK THE PARENTS THE RIGHT TO DISCIPLINE THEIR CHILDREN, THE SCHOOLS TO BRING BACK THE OLD SCHOOL REGIME, FOR CURFEWS FOR CHILDREN FROM INFANT TO EIGHTEEN, MY REASON:- THEY SHOULD BE AT HOME WITH THEIR FAMILY AND NOT ROAMING THE STREETS LOOKING FOR TROUBLE, HENCE WHY THE KIDS LOFT ON THE STREETS AROUND MCDONALD, THE PARK OR PERSONAL PROPERTY. PARENTS NEED TO GET THEIR RIGHTS TO DISCIPLINE WITHOUT CHASTISMENT, I CAME OUT ALRIGHT AND MY SIBLINGS AND WE WERE FROM THE GENERATION OF THE 60/70'S. WATCH THIS SPACE OR WHEN CJS'S FUNERAL TAKES PLACE.

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Family/Friend, London says...
12:19pm Sat 30 Aug 08

I am sad still to lose a dear family/friend "CJ" who brought a smile to our faces, by the amount of flowers and the tributes near and far (especially world wide) shows that CJ was a gentleman, hoping to follow in his grandfather as his father did as a carpenter, he was the first son to Charles Senior and a inspiration to his younger brother and to everyone that he came in contact with.

Check his tribute sites under CJ Hendricks tribute, you will see for yourself.

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Technomist, Walthamstow says...
8:36pm Sat 30 Aug 08

To Family/Friend, I have no intention of upsetting anyone, and am well aware that the death will have had a major shock affect on the Hendricks family, as it has the wider community.

It is however a matter of concern when statements are made about the type of killing but no information is made available to clarify what is meant. We can read in this paper the recent statement of the police that there is great tension between various gangs as result of this murder. That, and the comment about his having an 'association' of some kind still leaves me wondering why that would be so if Mr Hendricks had nothing at all to do with gangs. Even if he had in the past been in a gang, that would not in any way, of course, excuse the behaviour of the wicked person who killed him.

I do understand what you mean by hyping things- I went up to the Town Square area today and personally saw none of the tensions or gang activity which I thought might be going on as a result of what was reported as having previously taken place. Maybe the presence of police helicopters over much of Walthamstow yesterday had an influence, though it does not make the place that peaceful for the rest of the public to have to endure. When I was in the Town Square the public spaces seemed remarkably relaxed. But the fact remains we have had three people killed locally in about six eeks, which is a shocking situation. People are entitled to know what is going on. The public need to know that our police are doing the best job they can and have the confidence of ALL the public they serve to be able to gather the information they need. We need to be able to know that they are being effective, not just in terms of the investigation, but with regard to their wider remit of keeping the peace and upholding law and order in our Borough. Whether people are black or white, the public is also entitled to seek reassurance that Mr Hendrick's death is not going to create some kind of unexpected escalation of violence.

To Family/Friend, I have no intention of upsetting anyone, and am well aware that the death will have had a major shock affect on the Hendricks family, as it has the wider community. It is however a matter of concern when statements are made about the type of killing but no information is made available to clarify what is meant. We can read in this paper the recent statement of the police that there is great tension between various gangs as result of this murder. That, and the comment about his having an 'association' of some kind still leaves me wondering why that would be so if Mr Hendricks had nothing at all to do with gangs. Even if he had in the past been in a gang, that would not in any way, of course, excuse the behaviour of the wicked person who killed him. I do understand what you mean by hyping things- I went up to the Town Square area today and personally saw none of the tensions or gang activity which I thought might be going on as a result of what was reported as having previously taken place. Maybe the presence of police helicopters over much of Walthamstow yesterday had an influence, though it does not make the place that peaceful for the rest of the public to have to endure. When I was in the Town Square the public spaces seemed remarkably relaxed. But the fact remains we have had three people killed locally in about six eeks, which is a shocking situation. People are entitled to know what is going on. The public need to know that our police are doing the best job they can and have the confidence of ALL the public they serve to be able to gather the information they need. We need to be able to know that they are being effective, not just in terms of the investigation, but with regard to their wider remit of keeping the peace and upholding law and order in our Borough. Whether people are black or white, the public is also entitled to seek reassurance that Mr Hendrick's death is not going to create some kind of unexpected escalation of violence.

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Family/Friend, London says...
8:23am Mon 1 Sep 08

To Technomist

I here what you are saying, but you need to understand, we are asking questions and we need to know why this is on the increase, every case is a different case that is getting highlighted. I am sure if this was a white on white it would be a different case. We are angry not just what happened to CJ but to all the other youths Black, White, Asian, etc who have been killed. The public just need to understand that the media will hype when it is a Black crime that is negative.

There are alot of positive things and events that happen greater within the Black community that does not get media coverage as the White media cover, but know that only us a community need to STAND towards these senseless killers whether if the child is of what ever race.

CJ's family are a family of all races, we are not just Black which the media would not be able to address. We are making a stand and will not let CJ's name be tarnished as it seems that there is some misunderstanding with his name, but until the Police are able to put the pieces together, we cannot make any comments until then.

Thank you for your concern, just need to spread the word that families, friends and organisations need to speak out if their children are doing wrong, because I would.

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Sarah Cosgrove, says...
3:12pm Mon 1 Sep 08

Legally the Waltham Forest Guardian cannot publish details of anyone Mr Hendricks' family, or anyone else, suspects of killing him even if we know them.
We can, however, publish information released to us by police, for example during an appeal for witnesses.
We cannot speak for other media but we treat the stories of all those who have been killed equally and with the utmost seriousness.

Deputy online editor.

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Walthamster, Walthamstow says...
10:25am Wed 3 Sep 08

Condolences to CJ's family, and to the families of all the teenagers who have been killed. This has to be stopped, and the first thing people must do is to give all evidence they have to the police. The rest of us can help too, by lobbying the government for stronger action against gangs. It's the only way to end this spate of killings. Gangs aren't going to stop killing people if you ask them nicely.

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Family/Friend, London says...
11:50am Thu 4 Sep 08

To Walthamster,

I agree, we do need to stand up to these gangs. Do not understand their motives. They all need help!!!!

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WALTHAM FOREST: Murdered teen's family united in grief (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

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