Stephen was born on 13 September 1974. At the time of his death he was 18 years old 5'8" tall, and of slim build. He was a gifted athlete, training and competing regularly as a sprinter with his club, Cambridge Harriers. From his parents Stephen had learned or inherited a certain seriousness about life, and classmates and teachers knew him for his calm and thoughtful nature. In short he was good company, a good friend, and a good son.

After leaving school Stephen continued his studies. He had ambitious to be an architect and was studying part of the time at school and part at Woolwich College in pursuit of the qualifications he needed to get into university.

Stephen had been with his friend Duwayne Brooks during the afternoon of 22 April 1993. They were on their way home when around 10.30pm they came to the bus stop in Well Hall Road. Stephen went to see if a bus was coming, and reached a position almost in the centre of the mouth of Dickson Road. Duwayne was part of the way between Dickson Road and the roundabout when he saw the group of five or six white youths who were responsible for Stephen's death on the opposite side of the road. The whole incident which led to his murder probably lasted no more that 15-20 seconds.

Stephen had been stabbed to depth of about five inches on both sides of the front of his body, to the chest and arm. Both stab wounds severed auxiliary artilleries.

Neville and Doreen have together been the mainspring of the Inquiry. Their persistence and courage in the face of tragedy, bitter disillusionment and disappointment has been outstanding. Their dignity and courtesy have been an example to all throughout. Neville and Doreen both came to England in the 1960s from Jamaica, Neville in 1960 and Doreen in 1962. They met in South London in 1970, and were married in 1972.

Click on the picture for a quote from Doreen Lawrence