Keith Needell
1926 – 2011
Haringey, North London
Perpetrator
Keith Needell was an 84-year-old retired quantity surveyor from north London who was attacked on 31 January 2011 while walking through Queen’s Wood in Haringey.
He suffered catastrophic head injuries after being beaten with a piece of wood and remained in hospital for several months before dying from his injuries.
The attacker was identified as Ali Koc, a Turkish-born man who carried out a series of random attacks on strangers in north London parks. Koc was convicted of two murders, including Keith’s and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 35 years.
Keith will be remembered as a kind, gentle and much-loved family man, he is deeply missed by his family, friends and all whose lives he touched. He had spent the day researching his family history before setting off for home.
Rest in peace Keith. You will not be forgotten.