Mother writes book on son's murder to help others grieve

Bash Kehinde has published a book detailing her grief following the fatal stabbing of her son, Josh McKay, in Leyton in July 2024. The book, released on Tuesday, aims to help other families cope with sudden loss.

Mr McKay, 33, was killed in a barber's shop in Leyton. His mother described the period since his death as a "living nightmare" and stated that the pain has not subsided. She told BBC London that the impact of such a loss is profound and enduring.

A life cut short

The last time Ms Kehinde saw her son alive was on a Saturday morning. They shared a joke about the cost of deodorant, with Mr McKay saying, "I'm a millionaire in the making." These were his final words to his mother. Hours later, she was at his side in hospital, pleading with him to wake up.

Ms Kehinde recalled watching the ambulance depart, feeling that her happiness and everything important had gone with it. She described her son as a generous and funny individual who ran a business dedicated to helping young people leaving care find employment and accommodation. "Josh used to bring home people," she said, highlighting his compassionate nature.

Justice and remembrance

Renai Belle, a former acquaintance of Mr McKay, was jailed for life at the Old Bailey in July 2025. He received a minimum sentence of 28 years for the murder. The trial process was a source of further distress for Ms Kehinde, who had to listen to graphic details of her son's final moments. It was during this period that she decided to document her experiences.

Ms Kehinde expressed a desire for her son to be remembered for his contributions as a father, businessman, and community member, rather than being reduced to a statistic. She also voiced her frustration with the way victims of violent crime are often described, arguing that terms like "knife crime" obscure the individual act of murder.

Her self-published book aims to shed light on the lasting consequences of sudden bereavement and offer solidarity to families navigating similar tragedies. "Life can change in a second," she stated, reflecting on the fragility of existence.