In a shocking act of cruelty, a 76-year-old widower was killed in his own home in East London on July 27, 2024, after a group of teenagers launched a firework through a breached window, igniting a deadly blaze. Robert Price, known for his quiet demeanor and history of harassment by local youths, became the tragic target of a senseless attack that escalated from persistent bullying to fatal violence.
Surveillance footage captured the moment when Nathan Otito Delchukw, 17, and two accomplices approached Robert’s boarded-up home, laughing as they executed their malicious plan. Nathan, who had a troubling history of aggression and impulse control issues, encouraged his younger friends to escalate their harassment, ultimately leading to the horrifying fire that engulfed Robert’s living room. Witnesses reported the teenagers’ gleeful laughter as chaos erupted inside, while Robert, trapped and disoriented, struggled to escape the thick smoke.
Despite immediate calls to the London Fire Brigade, firefighters arrived to find the house fully ablaze. Tragically, Robert was discovered unconscious, with paramedics unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead shortly after, succumbing to smoke inhalation and severe burns. The incident, described as a deliberate act of arson, has ignited outrage in the community, prompting questions about how prolonged harassment of an elderly man could escalate to such a tragic outcome.
Nathan and his accomplices were arrested within 48 hours, with investigators uncovering a trail of incriminating evidence, including social media posts celebrating their actions. Initially charged with murder, they later pleaded guilty to manslaughter, sparking public fury over what many deem a lenient sentence. Nathan received just six years in prison, while his younger accomplice was sentenced to two years and eight months.
As tributes flowed for Robert Price, community leaders are calling for urgent reforms to address youth crime and better protect vulnerable residents. This heart-wrenching case serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of unchecked bullying and the urgent need for societal change.