A man has been charged with a £2 million jewellery store robbery which happened the day before the watch dealer victim took his own life.
Junior Kunu, 29, has been charged with a robbery of luxury watches at the shop where Oliver White worked in Kew Road, Richmond.
The day afterwards, Mr White, 27, was found dead in Woodland in Shepperton in Surrey.
An inquest was opened this week at Surrey Coroner’s Court, hearing he died from suspension. The Metropolitan Police has said his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Kunu, who lives in Lancaster Avenue in Mitcham, has now been charged with robbery and appeared at Bromley magistrates court on Thursday.
He spent much of the time in the glass-fronted dock with his head bowed as details of the alleged offence were read out.
“The matter before the court relates to an incident that took place on May 25 in connection with a robbery”, said prosecutor Mrs Ike.
“It is a robbery that took place at a watch dealership in Richmond during the working hours of the day.
“Just under £2 million worth of watches were stolen as a result of the incident.”
According to the charge, he is accused of robbing Mr White at the store, 247 Kettles, of watches “to the value of £2 million”.
The incident happened at around 2.50pm on May 25.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Mather said at the time: "First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Mr White's family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time.
"We would ask that they are given the privacy they need to grieve.
"We are working tirelessly to get them the answers they need and are making good progress with our investigation.
"We urge anyone who has information that could assist us to get in touch as soon as possible.”
Magistrates remanded Kunu in custody until a further hearing at Kingston crown court on July 4.
The court was told he “does not admit this offence”.
