12-year-old boy who died from block of flats was ‘amazing’, heartbroken brother says

A 12-year-old boy who tragically died after falling from a block of flats in south-east London was “an amazing person” who had “so much potential”, his heartbroken brother said.

Renoy Ellis fell from the top floor of a flat on Hotspur Street in Kennington on Friday afternoon and died at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said. Police were called at 4.23pm and said there was so far “nothing to indicate the incident is suspicious”.

Now the child’s half-brother, Jason Campbell, has revealed that Renoy loves space and maths and dreams of working in the aerospace industry in the future. Mr Campbell said it was his brother’s model and just a few weeks ago he took it out to celebrate his 12th birthday.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Campbell, his brother, was ‘bubbly’ and ‘happy’, adding: ‘Just a few weeks ago we were playing football together, playing a bit of table tennis, walking around the park. For his 12th birthday, my girlfriend and I took him out. I was his role model, I was his big brother.”

Speaking about his brother’s personality, he said: “He was more of a nerdy guy, into computers, reading books, doing his homework, excelling in life.” He added: “He knew what life was about… he was so intelligent. He was just an amazing person, he had so much potential.”

A Met Police spokesman said: “Police were called to a child who had fallen from the top floor of a flat on Hotspur Street. Officers attended along with LAS (London Ambulance Service). Despite their best efforts, the child was pronounced dead. The child’s family have been informed at this very early stage, there is no indication that the incident is suspicious, however inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances.”

Florence Eshalomi, Labor MP for Vauxhall, said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Very sad to hear of the sad death of a young child who fell from a block of flats earlier this afternoon in Hotspur Street, SE11. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

A Lambeth Council spokesman said: “This is a truly shocking incident in our borough and our thoughts are with the family at this tragic time. Council staff were on site to support local residents. their inquiries into what led to this sad death.” The spokesman urged anyone with information to help police with their enquiries.

The boy’s death came just days after five-year-old Aalim Ahmed died after falling from his kitchen window on the 15th floor of an east London tower block. The boy died instantly after landing on a railing at the bottom of the block of flats in Plaistow, Walthamstow Coroner’s Court heard on Friday.

His father discovered his body shortly before 6am on May 16. The boy was previously named locally as Aalim Makial Jibril and a GoFundMe raised just over £1,000 towards his funeral costs. Newham Council is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.