Billy Cox's father dies after appeal to catch murderer

The terminally ill father of a 15-year-old boy shot dead at home has died days after making an appeal to catch his son's killer.

Billy Cox was killed in his bedroom on the Fenwick Estate in Clapham on Valentine's Day 2007. He was shot once in the chest and died in his sister's arms. Officers from the Met's Operation Trident believe they know who is responsible but need witnesses to come forward.

The Standard reported on Friday how Billy's father, Tommy, 56, had been told by doctors he had six months to live after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

Mr Cox said it was his dying wish to see his son's killer caught. He said: I've had to keep faith for four years ...now I would like to see it happen before I pass away."

Mr Cox is understood to have died yesterday at St Thomas' Hospital.