A handwritten note could be the key to solving the murder of a man who was stabbed to death in a pub 16 years ago, police said today.
The letter, handed to police last year, could be vital in unravelling the mystery surrounding the killing of 31-year-old father-of-two John Kennedy, in the Railway Arms, Wapping, in 1997.
Detectives are now "urgently" seeking the author of the anonymous note, which was handed into St George's Town Hall, Shadwell after an appeal last December.
The scrawled letter reads: "Around 2.55 - 3.00 early morning. Murder at the Railway Pub, Sutton Street.
"I was…waiting for someone…There was a fight. Knife was used by…
"…The other bloke Kennedy plays football for the Falstaff pub. That’s how I recognised him."
Police, who are offering a £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the killer, said the male author did not leave any contact details with them.
Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin, of the Met's homicide unit, said: "The note was handed in on Monday 2 December 2013 following further media appeals for information and witnesses on 28 November.
"We are extremely grateful for the information in the note but we urgently need to speak further to the person who wrote it. I would ask them to please come forward in the strictest confidence."
Mr Kennedy, who was the brother of singer Jade Jones from boy band Damage, was killed after a brawl at the pub on February 8, 1997.
The self-employed electrician and football player had been out with friends on a pub crawl and had ended up at the Railway Arms.
After an argument broke out, a man pulled a knife and stabbed Mr Kennedy in the abdomen, according to police.
His killer has never been found. A man was arrested and charged with the murder in 1997, but was never convicted.
A fresh appeal to trace the author of the note is due to be broadcast on the BBC's Crimewatch programme on Wednesday evening.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8345 3865 or 07785 555969, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
