Key Points
- Murder Charge Issued: Detectives have officially charged 26-year-old Michael Gyedu with the murder of 38-year-old Rahiem Jackson in Leeds.
- Court Appearance Scheduled: Gyedu, resident on Rathmell Road, is scheduled to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court today, 2 November.
- Second Arrest in Custody: A second 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on the morning of 1 November and remains in police custody.
- Initial Incident Details: Police were originally called to Hedley Chase in New Wortley at approximately 10:23 pm on Saturday, 24 October, following reports of a violent, sustained assault involving armed individuals.
- Victim Identity & Tributes: The victim, 38-year-old Rahiem Jackson (known affectionately as ‘Reema’), was pronounced dead following the attack. His family paid tribute to his “beautiful heart and beautiful soul.”
- Ongoing Investigation: West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) continues extensive inquiries, appealing for CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts.
LEEDS (The Leeds Times) November 2, 2026 – A 26-year-old man has been charged with murder following a fatal violent assault in Leeds that claimed the life of 38-year-old Rahiem Jackson, West Yorkshire Police have confirmed.Detectives from the force’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) formally charged Michael Gyedu, of Rathmell Road, Leeds, with murder on Monday morning. Official records state that Gyedu, whose self-defined ethnicity is recorded as ‘Any Other Black’, will appear before Leeds Magistrates’ Court today, 2 November.
As reported by West Yorkshire Police in an official statement, emergency services were initially dispatched to Hedley Chase in the New Wortley district of Leeds at approximately 10:23 pm on Saturday, 24 October. Upon arrival, officers and emergency medical personnel discovered that Rahiem Jackson had sustained critical injuries in what investigators described as a sustained assault. Paramedics delivered emergency medical care at the scene, but Jackson was pronounced dead a short time later.
In a statement issued by West Yorkshire Police, the force confirmed:
“Detectives investigating the murder of Rahiem Jackson in Leeds on Saturday (24 October) have charged a man with his murder. Michael Gyedu aged 26, of Rathmell Road, has been charged with murder. Gyedu, whose self-defined ethnicity is listed as ‘Any Other Black’, will appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court today (2 November).”
The statement further added:
“Yesterday morning (1 November), a second man, aged 26 was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. Enquiries into Rahiem’s death remain ongoing by the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.”
Prior to these charges, police operations had expanded nationwide. As reported by Detective Chief Inspector Dan Bates of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via LeedsLive, an initial 26-year-old suspect was apprehended overnight in London by Metropolitan Police officers before being brought back to West Yorkshire for questioning. Detective Chief Inspector Bates highlighted that the arrest represented a
“significant development in the murder investigation of Rahiem Jackson,”
while confirming that specialist officers continue to provide support to the victim’s family.
According to reporting by Peter Norman of UKNIP, emergency services originally responded to 999 calls reporting that a man was being set upon by up to four individuals carrying weapons near Hedley Chase. The attack took place outside Don Robins House, a supported living facility managed by St George’s Crypt in New Wortley.
Following the loss of Jackson—affectionately known by relatives and friends as ‘Reema’—his family issued an emotional tribute through West Yorkshire Police. As reported by LeedsLive, the family expressed deep grief while describing him as a cherished figure:
“Rahiem was loved and adored by his sisters and family. He had a beautiful heart and beautiful soul; his smile was so infectious, and he lit up the room with his presence. Rahiem would have gone above and beyond for anybody he cared for.”
Jackson was remembered as a loving son, father, brother, uncle, partner, and friend.
Detectives continue to appeal to the public for information, dashcam footage, and private CCTV recordings covering the Hedley Chase area around the time of the incident.
West Yorkshire Police have asked anyone who witnessed individuals arriving at or leaving the scene around 10:23 pm on 24 October to contact HMET via the 101 non-emergency number or the LiveChat facility under log reference 13260606745. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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What Is the Background of This Particular Development?
The formal charging of Michael Gyedu and the detention of a second suspect mark a significant transition in an investigation that began on the night of Saturday, 24 October. When West Yorkshire Police officers were summoned to Hedley Chase in New Wortley at 10:23 pm, they were confronted with a violent crime scene involving a fatal assault.
Initial inquiries established that Rahiem Jackson had been ambushed and attacked with weapons in the street. In the days immediately following the attack, the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) launched a multi-jurisdictional operation to identify and track down suspects who had fled the scene.
This led to cross-border coordination between West Yorkshire Police and London’s Metropolitan Police Service, resulting in an overnight arrest in the capital prior to the formal charges being brought forward at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.
The location of the incident—Hedley Chase in New Wortley—has drawn attention due to its proximity to local residential housing and supported living facilities. The investigation moved quickly from a public appeal for eyewitnesses and CCTV recordings to active criminal prosecutions within eight days of the crime.
How Will This Development Affect the Local Community and Wider Audience?
The charging of a suspect and the ongoing court proceedings will impact several key groups within the community:
- The Victim’s Family and Close Friends: For Rahiem Jackson’s family, the formal criminal charge brings the beginning of the legal process in their search for justice. While court proceedings cannot ease the pain of their sudden loss, formal charges provide clarity regarding the police investigation and the accountability of those accused.
- Residents of New Wortley and Hedley Chase: The arrest and charging of suspects offer a measure of reassurance to local residents who were shaken by a severe act of violence on their doorstep. The visible presence of law enforcement and rapid progress in the investigation help restore a sense of safety within the immediate neighborhood.
- The Wider Leeds Community and Public Safety: The swift movement from initial crime scene investigation to multi-agency arrests across regional boundaries demonstrates the operational capacity of the West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team. As the case moves into the judicial system at Leeds Magistrates’ Court and subsequently the Crown Court, public attention will shift toward formal legal proceedings and judicial outcomes.
