A fresh call for witnesses has been made five years after a teenager was found bleeding to death on a grass verge.

On December 9, 2013 Ayodele Osifuwa was discovered at the roundabout junction of Limes Avenue and Westmede in Chigwell, shortly before 9pm.

The 16 year-old had a leg wound and was rushed to Royal London Hospital for treatment.

Ayodele died on February 7, 2014, around a month before his seventeenth birthday.

Senior investigating officer DCI Martin Pasmore of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “It has been five years since the murder of Ayodele Osifuwa and, still, no-one has come forward with the information we need to bring his killer or killers to justice.

“We know there were a number of witnesses to the attack who have chosen not to tell us what they know.

“But it has been five years now and Ayodele’s family need to know what happened to him and they need justice.

“He should have had his whole life ahead of him, instead it was cut short at just 16.

“The people who took his life are out there, along with the people who know what happened. Please do the right thing and get in touch with us, so we can give his family the justice they deserve.”

Two people were arrested at the time in connection with the murder but they were later released without charge.

Ayodele was a former pupil of Nightingale Primary School in Wanstead and Wanstead High School.

He also attended Constance Bridgeman School in Chadwell Heath.

At the time the young boy’s family said: “He lived all his life within the love, care and affection of his parents, Adebayo and Bolanle, and his brothers Adeoye, Adetayo and Tiwalade.

"Ayodele was very much loved by his parents, siblings, extended family and friends due to his very likeable nature right from his childhood.

"Ayodele was a talented and aspiring footballer. He played for the football teams in both his primary and secondary schools.

"He also played for many youth football teams in Redbridge area and before his death he was playing for Grays Athletic Football Club.

"There was never a dull moment with Ayodele. He was full of life, very humorous, loved practical jokes and good food.

"He was a very happy young man who always had a smile on his face. He had everything to live for.

“His death has created an irreplaceable vacuum within his immediate and extended families.

“Shame on the coward who perpetrated the heinous crime that terminated Ayodele’s life.

Anyone with information can contact Harlow’s Major Crime Team on 101, email scdappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.